Madam Speaker, I think the hon. member has raised a serious issue. We have never wanted to have equalization payments or assistance from the federal government. What we want is to be able to take charge of our own affairs, to have all our taxes, including income taxes, and to make our own laws and international treaties.
I do not see how Quebeckers—especially those in Abitibi-Témiscamingue where there are many mines—would benefit from our passing a bill that would make their mining sector less competitive, which would lead, in turn, to business closures and job losses.
We are going to be told, “We will be nice to you; we will send you some employment insurance.” That would be the same employment insurance that this government has been cutting in recent years.
That is not what we want. We want a fair reform of the tax structure in the petroleum sector, and if Alberta benefits, that is all to the good. Still, this reform must also be of some benefit to the businesses and mines of Quebec, particularly in areas like Abitibi-Témiscamingue.