Mr. Speaker, I could not help but notice that the hon. member from Alberta, who I have a great respect for, mentioned the Mexican economy and the uplifting of that economy because of free trade. The reality is that post-NAFTA in Mexico free trade has created one new billionaire and 100 new millionaires, but the average Mexican income since NAFTA has declined. That is the reality. That is the truth. Also, the environmental concerns in Mexico have declined.
My question for the hon. member is similar to a question that I had for the member for Skeena about the softwood lumber agreement. The member for Skeena said, if I am not mistaken, that the Alliance Party supports equal access to the U.S. markets for our country's softwood lumber. The reality is that in the maritime region 80% of the harvested lumber comes from private lands, whereas 80% to 90% of the harvested lumber in British Columbia comes from crown land. Already there is a difference.
In order to maintain the economic well-being of those lumber industries within Atlantic Canada, would the hon. member not support the maintaining of the maritime accord, which is in place and has been very beneficial for the people of Atlantic Canada?