Mr. Speaker, I find that question very pertinent and I thank my colleague from Chambly—Borduas for giving me a chance to elaborate a bit on the subject.
Indeed, the federal government had an advantage in the 90s because since 1992, it could count on Quebec, which had harmonized its tax and was collecting it for Ottawa. That was very efficient and the federal government noticed it. It said that the Quebec government was showing remarkable clarity and efficiency in collecting the tax.
Everybody benefited. That meant that everybody was on the same level playing field as far as paying taxes was concerned. I remember that at that time the question of clarity in the payment of the tax was discussed. The federal government often held Quebec up as an example of the tax collection techniques to be used.