Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to read an article in the Financial Post today which indicated that a special United States senate committee investigating the year 2000 computer problem found that Canada is among the top ranked countries in the world in terms of its year 2000 preparedness. The U.S. senate committee found that 70% of Canadian businesses and 94% of medium and large companies have launched programs aimed at heading off the year 2000 problem. It estimated that Canadian companies have spent over $18 billion U.S. so far to ensure year 2000 compliance.
The members of the industry committee have worked hard on this issue and continue to monitor the year 2000 progress of business and services for consumers. We commend the Minister of Industry, his department and the private sector task force for ensuring that companies across Canada are aware of this potential problem and are taking steps to ensure that January 1, 2000 will arrive with little disruption.
With less than 10 months to go, let us continue to work toward eradicating the problem with the possible millennium bug.