Mr. Speaker, the vision of doom and gloom of the No side has just been refuted in a report released by a major American brokerage house. Indeed, the New York firm of Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette argues that, should the sovereignty option prevail, first, the credit rating of the Quebec government would not be affected, second, market uncertainty would be short-lived, and third, the economic situation would remain stable.
This is similar to the findings of a recent study undertaken by the advisory director of the fourth major commercial bank in the United States, who said, and I quote: "In conclusion, according to the rating and the views of the capital markets, if the people opt for sovereignty, the most likely result would be between neutral and positive".
The fear tactics used by the No side are no longer credible and do not scare anyone any more. Quebec now has all the assets to face the future and take control of its economic levers.