Mr. Speaker, we are going through tough economic times, but while we try to protect and preserve the jobs that sustain Canadian families and communities we also look to the future.
We must ensure that Canada is open for investment and for new jobs and new opportunities. We must ensure that around the world Canada is seen as the best place to do business.
That does not mean we will not ensure that companies live up to their obligations. Where appropriate we will secure undertakings from foreign companies that wish to do business in Canada. It certainly means that we expect companies to live up to their agreements.
We on this side of the House believe that we can get better results working with these companies where possible in these tough economic times.
I will finish with a quote. This is what foreign commentators have to say about what the Canadian government has done. This quote is from the London Telegraph. Speaking of the Canadian government, it said:
If the rest of the world had comported itself with similar modesty and prudence, we might not be in this mess.