Mr. Speaker, I want to start by thanking the hon. member for London-Middlesex for expressing these thoughts inspired by our prayers this morning. I share them. I think the people of Quebec are focused on this crucial moment in their lives and accept the mark of affection shown by anglophones today.
We are sure that this demonstration of affection, friendship and even love, as some were saying, will last more than one day. Indeed we are confident that this demonstration of love and friendship will last for more than one weekend and that the best way to ensure that it does is to accept and respect the decision of the people of Quebec and thus transform these marks of friendship into acceptance of a rewarding and effective partnership between our two nations.
As far as the bill is concerned, I must deplore one thing. It is true that the bill raised the maximum for small and medium size businesses. However, one of the main problems for job creation, especially in Quebec, is the fact that very small businesses do not have access to these loans because the criteria have become more restrictive.
We must not forget that nearly 90 per cent of all new jobs, according to the figures for Quebec, are created by very small and medium size businesses. They should be helped. These are not businesses that require start up capital in excess of $250,000, $500,000 or one million dollars.
Last month, I witnessed the birth of thirty or so very small businesses in my riding, started by people who were on unemployment insurance, people who had decided to take the initiative and create their own jobs, set up their own business. In the process, they created some forty new jobs, and they were able to get started thanks to loans which, in most cases, did not exceed $10,000.
In other words, what we need to help these small businesses is not a higher maximum. There was nothing wrong with the maximum. The problem is a lack of more flexible criteria that would
give these very small businesses access to more readily available venture capital.
I do not think the bill makes any provision for this, although in some respects it is well intentioned. I think the bill will not do anything to promote very small businesses. I would appreciate the hon. member's comments.