Mr. Speaker, first, I was the one who yelled “no” to oppose withdrawal of the NDP motion. I was pleased to do so.
There is a simple reason for that: we cannot trust the government on free trade negotiations, especially since this government, which prides itself on being democratic, even refused to provide us with the texts. We, who have been elected by the people, cannot even have a look at the content of the agreement which will be negotiated.
I was in Quebec City during the people's summit. I attended several meetings. I met workers from several countries who told us bluntly that the free trade agreement and all the resulting changes have definitely not improved their living conditions. We were told this by people who came to give evidence, people who have to live with these changes.
Can the parliamentary secretary assert that the opposite is happening in Canada? Free trade was supposed to improve the standard of living in Mexico and other countries. The reverse is happening. Canada's standard of living is dropping.
For instance, there is a shortage of beds in hospitals. There are not enough physicians. Health care is being privatized. Experts and everyone else are saying that this is because of free trade. And then we are told that this is the best thing that ever happened.
Can the parliamentary secretary tell us about what the free trade agreement provides in terms of worker protection? In terms of unionization for their protection we need laws to protect workers in all these countries. Where is the balance between the two, apart from the fact that big corporations, which as far as I am concerned represent the liberals, will be the winners with free trade, not Canadians, not workers of the Americas?