Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Longueuil. His remarks bear out what I was saying. He said that the federal government is to blame for everything.
Is it the federal government's fault if Canada, in the 1980s, in spite of all its problems-like high inflation and interest rates-became a member of the G-7, a member of the seven most developed countries? Is it the federal government's fault if, for two consecutive years, the Organization of American States has said that Canada is the best country in the world to live in? Is it the federal government's fault if people do not want to invest money? Does the fault for Canada's political instability lie only with the federal government? We have been hearing about separation for 30 years. Is the federal government to blame for that?
Last year, we had the highest economic growth among developed countries. Is that a sign of bankruptcy? Is the member completely cut off from the global environment and completely oblivious to what is happening in other countries? Does he ever make comparisons? Statistics and international reports the world over clearly indicate that we are a very good country. But we do have a political instability problem, precisely because of their ideas.
As soon as they muster enough courage, instead of making policy shifts often enough to make heads spin, they should put the question clearly and squarely as to whether Quebecers feel like separating. Then, we could truly get rid of the millstone we have round our neck because of the separatists and, of course, still improve our situation.
When the hon. member says that Canada is bankrupt, he is not aware of all the prestigious positions we hold in the international community at all levels.
I would ask my hon. colleague to take that into consideration. I know he came here at the same time as I did, almost 11 years ago. Since he has had the chance to travel to most corners of the world, if he tried to remember the countries he visited and what he heard in his parliamentary travels, he would surely agree with me.