Mr. Speaker, the business community is near consensus. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business declared its research consistently shows that small and medium sized businesses advocate the complete elimination of all grants and subsidies to businesses and associations. Yet the Liberals continually insist they are helping small business through regional development.
The Business Council on National Issues had but one suggestion for the federal government: "Just say no". The Canadian Aerospace Industry said: "We have seen attempts to create pseudo-competition by region in this county by pitting companies against each other supported by tax dollars. This has resulted in wasted energy, misguided marketing, lost opportunity, squandered money, and all too frequently, failed enterprises".
If the minister will not eliminate regional development he might as well amalgamate the regional development programs. He could then create a new crown corporation called "Pork Barrel Incorporated".