Mr. Speaker, I will answer yes to my colleague, there are possibilities.
He mentioned one amendment we moved, but which was defeated by the government side. I will explain what it was about, because it is not obvious at first sight.
Why not limit this program to businesses which otherwise would not have access to loans from financial institutions? I stress this point because it could be tempting for a bank or a credit union, seeing the possibility of using this program, to use it to benefit businesses that provide guarantees. There is an annual $1.5 billion limit for Canada as a whole, that is a limit on the total amount of the loans, not on what this program is costing the government. This is not what the program costs.
If banks and financial institutions were to finance businesses which could otherwise have access to financing, they would not have enough money left to finance those business people my colleague mentioned, who want to set up their own business and who might pose a greater risk.
In my opinion, this guaranteed loans program should be aimed at those who are in a certain risk category, who might have a cash flow problem for instance, but who show potential for innovation, who have just completed some kind of training, who have ideas, energy and youth. Such a loan could give them a start in life, in business and help them succeed.
We presented this argument and although our amendment was rejected, I believe that by debating it today we might convince the people opposite, the minister and his officials to look at it some time in the future. They could adopt it and see that it is implemented through the regulations.
This is the reason why we, in the Bloc Quebecois, are in favour of this legislation. Although the bill's objectives are worthwhile, it is often the regulations themselves that make it possible to realize them.
If we take things seriously, and I want to take them seriously, it means that, when we propose an amendment, we are assuming that somebody who is listening to the debate or who will read Hansard tomorrow will say “this is a good idea that is worth considering”. That is what we hope when we speak in the House. We are not only trying to pass the time.
This bill deals with a fundamental program that provides access to financing for a large number of businesses in Canada and in Quebec. I may be a sovereignist, but I still think this bill is a positive measure. As long as we Quebecers remain within the federal system and send part of our taxes to Ottawa, we have the right to benefit from that system.