Mr. Speaker, this is an important debate and I would like to make a comment, because I believe that much has been said that actually gives the wrong impression.
I am not questioning the motivation. However, I question the ideology of the member of the NDP who denies the reality that Canada is a trading nation and that we benefit from fair, good and clear rules. Trade creates an enormous number of jobs in Canada. Without jobs and prosperity overall we do not have good health. We know that unless people have the opportunity to work and no matter how many pills they take, their health status will not be improved.
I have always been one who has supported fair trade rules and as open and free trade as possible. I have been critical of trade agreements in the past that I did not believe provided good and fair access to markets. However, if the member were being realistic, he would know that the World Trade Organization and the general agreement on tariffs and trade has benefited all Canadians. We have seen our economy grow and prosper as a result of those trade agreements.
I would urge the member to bring his thinking into the 21st century and realize how important trade is to all Canadians and to our prosperity.