Mr. Speaker, SMEs are the foundation of our economy. In my riding of Beauharnois—Salaberry, 89% of businesses are SMEs. That means that over 2,000 businesses are creating jobs and generating wealth locally.
Whether it is in the manufacturing, agricultural, food processing, chemical, computer, restaurant, retail or tourism sectors, our business people are taking risks. They are innovating and they are exporting their products. Above all, they are providing jobs for people locally and are getting involved in their communities.
Why not support them? Why has the federal government abandoned the manufacturing and retail industries to provide subsidies to oil multinationals? The government has put all its eggs in the same basket. This disastrous economic management has been harmful to our businesses. Companies in Valleyfield, Beauharnois, Ormstown and Jardins-de-Napierville have had to close their doors. It is time for that to stop.
The next government—an NDP government—will provide better support for SMEs. We will make our local business people a priority by providing an innovation tax credit and lowering taxes from 11% to 9%.