Mr. Speaker, I have heard stories from my parents and grandparents about the fur trade and the creation of a co-operative movement to try to market their furs. Unfortunately, we lived in the backwoods of the Churchill River, far removed from the garment makers in Montreal. In those days it was way beyond anyone's means to transport or communicate in order to co-operatively market and envision ourselves as a world leader in garment development in fur.
The co-operatives have taken on challenges. They have made mistakes by trying to develop economies through a collective effort in the communities. We cannot blame them for that because the effort was worth it. Individual markets and the globalization of multinationals who take out of our markets and economies is probably our nation's biggest fear.
Look at the success of the agricultural co-ops, the pools in marketing their grains and agricultural products worldwide. It is a major success. We have a wealth of resources in this country, resources in our people and our ideas. We have our timber, mining, water and other natural resources and non-renewable resources, all living resources.
I would like members to pay attention when they go to the parliamentary restaurant and turn to the right as they enter. They will see a picture highlighting the capital of this nation and its pyramid load is on the land, the resources, the timber, mining and fish. That image should be drawn up in a co-operative measure as how to go forward into the next millennium.
Look at the crown corporations. We have been selling off our railroads to American interests. All of a sudden Omnitrax owns major tracks of railroads in western Canada. Why did we not give the first option to Canadians? Maybe a Canadian co-operative could have taken up the transportation sector. Why not challenge ourselves in a co-operative perspective and give the first option to truly Canadian people as opposed to outside offshore interests?
I am very proud to speak on behalf of all the New Democrats and support this growing process of the co-operative movement in our nation. I encourage all Canadians to support their co-operatives in their regions. We must keep the process of negotiating these bills and amendments by taking it to the co-operative leaders and representatives and let them design and structure the necessary bills and legislation to come before the House.
The amendment which came in late, unfortunately may have missed the opportunity. However, I think it is truly a technical oversight on the part of legislators.
In closing, there are issues on the multilateral agreement on investment that will impinge on our national ability to improve the economy and the strength of our Canadian companies because outside interests can actually test the favouritism of our Canadian corporations and co-operatives.
The parties have united in supporting the co-operatives bill. We are looking to the government and the collection of all representatives of Canada to see the co-operatives flourish in this nation.