Mr. Speaker, I want to compliment the member for Durham on his remarks. I especially want to thank the member for Durham for all his work in committee during the last two years since his coming to the Parliament of Canada.
One reason we have had such success and why I believe small business is heading in the right direction is because our team of Reform Party members, the Bloc, and Liberals all worked together on the committee to try to make sure we had a fist when we went to the banks and other financial institutions as we were pleading for help in accessing capital for small businesses.
My question for the member has to do with start-up. In his experience as an accountant helping small businesses deal with banks, does he not think that one area we are going to have to do a lot more work on is making sure that the attitude and culture of
bank mangers changes dramatically toward people who are starting businesses, versus people who have been in business for a long time?
With all of the downsizing going on in both large businesses and governments right now, we have many people who are starting a business for the very first time. In order to really achieve success they are going to need help from financial institutions in this country. I believe that banks are going to have to change their attitudes dramatically for start-ups.
I wonder if the member for Durham, who is also an accomplished accountant in his field, could comment on that.