Mr. Speaker, my colleague has touched on several topics. He has spoken about the budget, and I will answer him on that, but first of all, let me reply to another point he has made. He made a comparison between Quebec and Greece, which did not want to be part of another country, whereas Quebec wants to be an independent country. This is too simplistic a comparison, because Greece has always been a country on its own, whereas Quebec has always been part of Canada.
He also drew a parallel with Taiwan, which is the same thing. Here we have an entity called Canada, in which the provinces have the right to govern themselves as they wish.
In 1867 there was the Canadian Constitution. There was an agreement delegating some responsibilities to the provincial level and others to the federal. In my opinion, our confederation is one of the world' finest. I am sure there are many countries that would gladly trade problems with Canada. We need only look at what is going on in Bosnia, Haiti, or other places where there are major problems to realize ours are relatively simple ones, readily solved if we make a concerted effort.
My colleague has indicated that the separatist groups in B.C., Quebec or other countries will one day see the light and realize they live in the best country in the world.
Now, for the budget. My colleague states that the government has not created any jobs. I would like to point out that, in 1995 alone, this government created 263,000 jobs. I would also like him to know that governments in general set an atmosphere that is favourable for private sector job creation. Finally, it is the private sector that creates jobs, not the government. Often, the government works in a partnership with the private sector in job creation, and that is precisely what this government has done. It has assigned a great deal of importance to the private sector so that it might create jobs. Among the examples of job creation I could offer my colleague, there is government investment in technology.
There are, in fact, a lot of companies involved in research and development in the area of technology, which will receive direct benefits from the government. They will become direct and indirect partners of the federal government and will create even more jobs again in Quebec and across the country.
Inflation here in Canada is fairly low. Interest rates are three points lower than they are in countries comparable to Canada. As with deficit control, all these initiatives by the federal government will help the private sector create jobs.
I do not think my colleague was being fair in saying that the government is not helping create jobs. It is indeed distressing that Petro-Canada, Bell Canada and other companies have cut their staffs. However, we must not end up setting a quota for the private sector, requiring it to create a specific number of jobs. All we can do is ask and do what we have to to enable the private sector to create jobs.
The performance of this government over the past two years has been extraordinary. It is time my colleague in the Bloc rose and congratulated the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister and the President of Treasury Board, because their efforts have been extraordinary.
Now I would like to say a few words about provincial jurisdictions and transfers to the provinces. Once and for all the federal Liberal government has set up a program to ensure the provinces fair, balanced and long-term transfers in the areas of health, post-secondary education and social services. The provinces can finally enjoy some peace in these three areas.
I must say my colleague in the Bloc Quebecois is perfectly right in saying that a lot more has to be done in job creation, but he still must rise and congratulate the government.