Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to ask some questions on the review of the Export Development Act.
My colleague and his party are committed to the separation of Quebec. Given the fact that they want to pursue it and that one of their objectives is to ensure the strength of the French language and French culture in North America, what would happen if Quebec gained independence and was trying to engage in bilateral economic relations and trade with the United States, an entity many times larger than the province of Quebec? What would this do to the strength of the French language and culture in North America?
Does my colleague think that one of the things that prevents Canadian companies, be they in Quebec or in une autre province, from being as competitive as they can be is the fact that high taxes and egregious rules and regulations are making Canadian companies less competitive than what they could be?
What would be the fate of the French language and culture when Quebec is forced to engage in trade as an independent entity with the United States? Are the taxes, rules and regulations as they currently stand choking the life out of companies in Quebec and the rest of Canada?