Mr. Speaker, I can and I do give that assurance.
I can also assure the hon. member that we have obtained from Walmart very specific undertakings with respect to the development and maintenance of a Canadian supplier network, as well as an undertaking to increase the acquisition and sale of Canadian books, magazines and other cultural products in their stores.
I took the undertakings seriously enough that I felt they warranted a direct call to Mr. Walton. He gave me his personal assurance of the importance of the undertakings to us and to him.
I would like to quote the CEO of Walmart who was quoted in the Financial Post in February as saying: ``It is our intention to run a Canadian company with Canadian people, fitting in as best as we can with the Canadian culture''. I suggest that is probably the best formula for success that Walmart could follow in coming into Canada.