Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We must keep in mind that we can count on a secure market of almost 30 million people. It is important to stress that this market is very important for Quebec products.
That said, the Canadian federation remains a system where we give priority to financial equalization by helping those provinces always in need of financial or infrastructure support.
Let us look at Quebec, for instance. As you know, for the last year, Quebec will receive over $3 billion in equalization payments. Quebec comes out a winner as a result of belonging to the Canadian federation. I find it regrettable that they question federal government services such as Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council and Radio-Canada. The Bloc Quebecois is wrong to say that the system never worked for Quebec, when we know full well that Quebec receives nearly 40 per cent of federal budgets allocated to certain federal government services. That is something we must keep in mind, Mr. Speaker.
They also talk about international markets and say that things are not going well for Quebec, but we must remember that well-known Quebec businesses such as Bombardier and Tembec and many other new small businesses received help from several federal agencies. They received help because of the partnership with the federal government.
We must not forget that many of these officials are from Quebec and believe in Quebec products within Canada.