Mr. Speaker, I was not proposing to take part in this debate. However, since there is time, I am quite happy to say something in response to the ridiculous comments we have heard from opposition members as to their excuse for not supporting this urgent and important legislation that really should be dealt with in this House.
Many of my constituents are gravely inconvenienced by this strike. They are more than just inconvenienced. The question which arises in respect of this strike is the economic loss to our country as a result of the failure to ship the things that have to get to port to be exported from Canada. This country is going through an export boom. To have a serious disruptive strike, whatever the problems that may have arisen to cause it and whatever the reason, is a serious economic loss to Canada at this stage in our economic cycle.
The Minister of Finance recently tabled a budget. Clearly, the success of that budget depends in part on the export growth that is booming in Canada today and which should be supported by every member of this House. We have an obligation to see to it that Canada's prosperity is not obstructed by some serious work stoppage which is preventing one of the most important things in our country, that is, exports which are going on at this moment and every hour of every day. They are being blocked because the opposition is unwilling to bring an end to this strike through some lawful means.
We proposed a fair solution to it. Members may not like it but it is a fair solution. Opposition members know that perfectly well, yet they persist in obduracy and say they will not allow us to change the rules in respect of this bill. They allowed the rules to be changed last week and I grant that, but they will not do so with respect to this bill to ensure that these people are put back to work so that jobs are not lost to Canadians.
We believe in creating jobs in this country. That is part of the philosophy of the Liberal government. I am surprised the opposition does not share that philosophy. One of the ways we create jobs is by exports. This strike is stopping exports. It is costing Canadians jobs. We should end it right away and the faster the better. The opposition knows it perfectly well.