Madam Speaker, I do not know if I have a solution to the political deafness of a Liberal member, but I can always try.
A month ago, the Bloc Quebecois made a specific proposal to help both the industry and the workers. I talked about it in my speech. I repeat, for the industry, we want loan guarantees; we also want a fund that could help small businesses without violating international agreements. Even though what will be decided after today will have no impact on the WTO decision because that decision must be based on the situation that existed when the complaint was made, the measures that we have proposed are politically responsible. They will be in keeping with international agreements.
For the workers, we want active measures to improve secondary and tertiary processing and to help people switch to other industries. There are also what we would call passive measures, but they will enable our workers to have an adequate income during the additional periods of unemployment that may result from the current situation.
If members want more information on this issue, I invite them to come to the employment insurance horror show that will take place tomorrow in room 200 of the West Block. We will see a film on the great EI robbery, starring the Minister of Finance. He has the leading role in this film. We will also have explanations on the negative aspects resulting from the fact that no changes were made to the employment insurance plan.
On the softwood lumber issue, I will be pleased to explain to the members, with the help of those who worked on this issue, particularly the member for Joliette, that we have all the necessary proposals on the table. All that is lacking is the political will to implement them. The Minister for International Trade must stop acting as a consultant and really take charge of the situation.