Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for giving me the opportunity to address issues I did not have time to mention earlier. I did not have time to elaborate.
The Bloc Quebecois' approach to making changes has been known for some time. Those who have been following the Bloc's performance in this House over the past three years know that suggestions to improve the employment situation were made to the government in several reports, but that, in most cases, as usual, the government ignored our suggestions.
In response to my hon. colleague from the Reform Party, regarding specifically the unemployment insurance fund, if, instead of using the surplus to absorb the national deficit, employer and employee premiums were substantially reduced to ensure this fund is balanced, our businesses could already make use of that money to create new jobs.
As for involving a mix of business people in privatizing public functions, different schemes could be considered. The Bloc Quebecois suggested several. We are of course in favour of making every effort to create jobs. What is happening at present with this government? They are talking about subsidies left and right, but none are actually granted in any area. Businesses go to the business development bank, but nothing happens. There are no programs specifically designed for these businesses. It is a disaster, any way you look at it.
For the time being, what is required is perhaps not so much to create jobs as it is to strike a balance. All in all, there were not that many jobs created over the past three years. Since we have been allowed to speak about Quebec, when Quebec will take over manpower training-and I think this is the key to job creation-we will be able to train people in those areas where jobs are available. All too often, it is in high technology areas where productive and well paid jobs are created that employment can be found. Quebec could easily train people under those circumstances.
Even now, if only Quebec were getting its fair share from this government, it could create jobs in almost every sector. In research and development for example, Quebec's share currently amounts to 16 or 17 per cent. This is a very productive area.
It is the same with defence. Quebec is not getting its fair share in that area either. Give us our share, what is rightly ours, then the Quebec government will be able to create productive and well-paid jobs.