Mr. Speaker, on scrutiny, the Liberal government's economic performance is impressive.
Thanks to the concerted efforts of Canadians, our economy is the best it has been in over ten years. The economic indicators bear witness to its good health.
In 1999, there were 427,000 new jobs in the country. That represents a 3% increase over 1998. The Liberals have created some 1.9 million jobs since they took office in 1993.
The unemployment rate was 11.4% in 1993. It is now at 6.8%, something not seen since April 1976, nearly a quarter of a century ago. The unemployment rate is therefore 4.6% lower than it was when we took office.
The figures, not to mention the elimination of the $42 billion deficit, amply prove the statement that the Liberal government works for Canadians.