Mr. Speaker, if I understand correctly, the Minister of International Trade agrees with my analysis.
However, the Prime Minister is proposing that the principle of full reciprocity should dominate trade relations between the United States and Canada. Such an agreement would prevent Quebec, the provinces and the municipalities from using preferential purchasing as a tool for economic development. Furthermore, Canada's position during the negotiations on free trade in 1988 and on NAFTA in 1992 was to maintain that privilege.
Does the Minister of International Trade realize that full reciprocity could have a very negative impact on small and medium sized businesses?