Madam Speaker, I listened to the arguments of our Reform Party colleague and I was under the impression he agreed we should study the issue but then it became clear that he wished there were other priorities.
I would like the member to answer my questions. Recently, our dollar has been falling and this helped Canadian companies in the natural resources area to maintain their export levels. However, as the dollar falls, other businesses in Quebec and Canada see the cost of importing raw materials and finished products rise. Our economy is not just based on primary products. Our economy is more diversified. We have problems with the rate of exchange.
Let us consider hockey players, for instance. Earlier, another member talked about the symbolic importance of a currency for national pride. Now in our national sport, hockey, players want to be paid in U.S. dollars. I think something is wrong and we should ask ourselves questions.
Executives of large businesses also often ask to be paid in U.S. dollars. Why? Because our dollar can be worth 66 cents today and only 64 cents a year later. This represents a loss of salary of almost 3 to 4% for someone who is paid in Canadian dollars compared to U.S. dollars.
Let us consider the long term development plans of a business wishing to export to the American market in five years. How much will the Canadian dollar be worth then? Let us go back five years. Our dollar was worth 70 cents. It lost about 12%, but regained some of its value. How can we have long term export plans to the American market in those circumstances? We have problems.
There are many issues we should address and I will conclude on that. Should we have a common North American or pan-American currency? Should we have a floating dollar or a dollar on a par? Should we have new monetary instruments? The bottom line is there are solutions but we will find them only if we raise issues. This is why the Bloc Quebecois is suggesting that a committee be struck.