Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the minister for his speech which was very emphatic and informative.
I did notice a couple of things as you were progressing through your list of accomplishments in the ongoing change in Newfoundland. You specified how the economy is diversifying, the number of jobs being created, and so on.
Almost conspicuous by absence is the fact that the infrastructure programs that past governments have initiated, if I can call them that, the Hibernia project, and so on, are not playing a huge part in the rebuilding of Newfoundland.
It seems to me there is a lesson to be learned there, possibly that the businesses mentioned are small and medium sized businesses using the high tech future to grab hold of things and sprout wings, as the hon. minister mentioned, to grab hold of the new possibilities.
Hibernia is not really playing the big part that people hoped. I wonder if the minister would comment on future job creation projects. I realize the minister is supportive of his own infrastructure programs but it seems that billions of dollars have been
wasted in large part on Hibernia. There is going to be another billion dollars thrown at the P.E.I. bridge.
Would the minister comment on whether that is the best use of taxpayers' money. Would it be better to lower taxes, thereby helping these small and medium sized businesses?