Mr. Chair, I certainly understand that the employment rate in Quebec is strong, that the rate of employment is about the best it has been in a generation. I understand also that we have brought in funding to assist one-industry towns facing major economic slowdowns. That is through the $1 billion community development trust.
I understand that we have made historic pre-emptive corporate business tax reductions for industry that run out every year up to 2012. It is less of a burden for them. I understand further we have done the very substantial accelerated capital cost allowance at a cost of billions of dollars, but it is very important to encourage technological innovation in these industries.
I know the member is well intentioned, but if his intention is to have a vibrant industry, a sustainable industry over time, I suggest that he consider what is being done as the way to go. It is the way to go because it makes it possible for these industries to retool and become more innovative. It makes them competitive in a world market. It makes them more productive and at the end of the day that is what makes them sustainable and that is where the sustainable long term jobs will be.
It is important, it seems to me, that we look at the longer term, but in the shorter term of course because some workers are displaced, particularly older workers between the ages of 55 and 62, we have the targeted initiative for those older workers to assist them to adjust at a time in their lives where no doubt it is more difficult to adjust.
For those who can retrain, who can obtain other skills, and there are lots of jobs available which is the good news, we have to ensure they can obtain those skills and that is why we are investing the largest amount ever of any government in skills training in Canada.