Mr. Speaker, I would like to start off with a correction to what the Leader of the Opposition has said, since when we refer to the 669,000 new jobs created in Canada since this government has been in existence, we mean those jobs in excess of the level of employment existing at the time of the election. In the economy, jobs are always being lost, while others are being created, but the net increase was 669,000 new jobs created since this government has been in existence.
As for the redistribution of all government purchasing, we have an open policy and, while in some fields there may be more in one province than in another, generally everything operates by calling for bids from suppliers. The one offering the best product at the best price gets the order. I believe this is the system that has been in operation in Canada for a very long time, and I doubt the accuracy of the figures the hon. member has given.