Mr. Speaker, in case the hon. member from the New Democratic Party is not aware, we have a provincial party in British Columbia, or there is a Reform provincial party. I will not say that we have it because there is no affiliation between the federal and provincial parties.
I find it amazing that a member of the New Democratic Party would even stand up and comment on the economic situation in British Columbia. The responsibility of that has to be shared with the New Democratic government that is there.
Trying to blame free trade and NAFTA for the downturn in B.C.'s economy is ludicrous. The economy in this country is on a positive swing because of NAFTA and the free trade agreement. The reasons companies are going south, and I have talked to many of them and I have talked to many individuals who are taking their money south, are high taxes and the economic climate that has been created by an NDP government. High taxes are driving our businesses and our jobs south of the border. For individuals from the New Democratic Party to say it is free trade and NAFTA is absolutely ludicrous.