Ronald J. Duhamel

[Small Business Loans Act, October 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat the key points I made earlier and continue my speech. I said that the Small Business Loans Act was part of a global strategy by the government to boost the growth of such business, and more particularly its access to financing and capital. I also said we did a lot of consulting, before we went ahead. I said, as well, that this project would be self-supporting, and that the government's action was in keeping with two of its policies: to reduce subsidies to business and to reduce the deficit and the debt.

I also indicated that the new program would better suit businesses with a greater need for access to capital, because, according to our research, 30 per cent to 40 per cent of businesses are getting from the existing program capital which could be used elsewhere. I added that I had talked to many business men and women in my riding of St. Boniface, who told me this was a step forward.

I concluded the first part of my speech by saying that this was the sort of government initiative that reached across the entire country-an example of what we can accomplish together.

Now for the second part. Speaking of what we can accomplish together, let us have a look at what we have already done in Canada. We all know that Canadians are respected around the world, for a number of reasons. We all know that we are the best country on the whole planet, and we are not the ones to say so. Organizations are saying so. We all know that people in many countries, in the vast majority of countries, would like to join us.

We are a pretty formidable economic power, since we rank seventh based on our gross domestic product. We know that the government is evolving, and even when people do not have the same philosophy of government, I think they should realize that governments and government institutions evolve and change. And that is exactly what this government has done for the past two years. To put it another way, it has embarked on a review of the federal government's mandate and that of other levels of government in order to eliminate duplication and overlap.

It has done so while respecting the authority of other levels of government and at the same time reducing government expenditures. it has taken steps to ensure that this initiative will be able to continue, because we still have some way to go.

Consider what we have done together so far. If we look at the past two years, we see that more than 600,000 jobs have been created. That is a lot, but it is not enough. We must create more jobs. We need a climate that is conducive to job creation. Our objective with respect to the debt and the deficit is a case in point. We wanted to ensure that the deficit would not be in excess of 3 per cent of the gross domestic product. We think we can achieve that.

Interest rates are among the lowest we have seen for a long time. The inflation rate is much lower than it was. Consider our growth figures. Economic growth has increased by 33 per cent. Exports have gone up by 5.2 per cent; investment in materiel and equipment, for instance, has increased 11.6 per cent; deliveries in the manufacturing sector have gone up 10.9 per cent.

Quite frankly, we have done remarkably well in a pretty difficult situation. Our concern, and this includes both government members and the members of the opposition, should be the results of the vote on October 30. Because we must continue to do well.

These successes improve Canadians' quality of life. These successes can assure us of growth, of keeping our number one status, if you will, as the best country in the world. I have a few quotations here I wanted to share on the successes we have enjoyed, the successes others have applauded us for.

For example, Sherry Cooper, chief economist at Nesbitt Burns, responded to the drop in September's unemployment rate to 9.2 per cent by saying:

Today's buoyant job report is yet another arrow in the quiver of economic recovery.

That was on the CP wire on October 6.

Andrew Pyle, Path International senior economist, responding to the drop in September's unemployment rate to 9.2 per cent said:

One would expect in October barring any surprises we should see even better job growth.

Robert Fairholm, chief economist with DRI/McGraw-Hill, in reacting to the Statistics Canada report showing that the country's GDP increased by 0.1 per cent in July, said:

Pull out a microscope and you'll see growth in July. But it's an improvement and that's encouraging for the markets.

Gordon Thiessen, Governor of the Bank of Canada, said:

I know the economy is not booming along, but it is performing in such a sound way, such a basically sturdy way.

I could go on. I have another dozen quotes from influential, knowledgeable, insightful people that show the country is working. As has been said by the Prime Minister on many occasions and by many colleagues, it is not perfect but it is the best country in the world. The commitment of all of us, whatever our political preferences, political values or political ideologies, ought to be to make this country, which is the best, better still.

For this reason I hope from the bottom of my heart that the Quebecers who see all of those Canadians rallied together in Montreal will listen to their heartbeats, listen to what they have to say. Some would like to have us believe this is not real, not spontaneous. It is real, it is spontaneous.

There is a deep affection for Quebec, for Quebec men, and for Quebec women, and that affection is being manifested today in Montreal. If on October 30 we can have a no vote to separation, to the breakup of this country, we are going to continue to improve the quality of life of all Canadians, whether they live in Quebec or in other parts of the country. This is why I want a no vote, and I hope from the bottom of my heart that is exactly what the answer will be. No to separation, no to breakup, so that we can continue to progress.

[Referendum Campaign, October 27th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the Parti Quebecois claims it will save $3 billion in an independent Quebec through the elimination of the overlap and duplication of the federal system.

How does Premier Parizeau expect to achieve this objective when he is promising to hire the thousands of federal public servants living in Quebec? Premier Parizeau said in August of this year that an independent Quebec could not hire all the federal public servants working for the departments of agriculture and of the environment, for example, because Quebec's departments in these areas are already fully staffed.

The so-called promise the Government of Quebec is making to hire federal public servants living in Quebec reminds me of the generous collective agreements the Parti Quebecois accorded Quebec public servants prior to the 1980 referendum. Following the rejection of the referendum question, the Parti Quebecois government then cut provincial public servants' salaries by some 20 per cent. Federal public servants have therefore every reason to mistrust the Parti Quebecois promises.

[Small Business Loans Act, October 27th, 1995]

So, Mr. Speaker, I shall have two speeches.

I am pleased to speak today on the Small Business Loans Act. I shall address the key principles rather than its details, which some of my colleagues with an in depth knowledge of this field have already done.

I wish to point out that this bill is part of a total strategy for supporting the growth of small businesses, particularly their access to capital. This must be clearly understood. We wish to provide more help to small business so that they may grow, have greater access to capital and thus create additional employment. We are very much aware that the bulk of jobs created over the past decade have been in small and medium size businesses. The figures indicate 85 to 90 per cent. This is very impressive.

This bill was proposed after much consultation with lenders and borrowers. It is not something that we just decided to impose. It is not something where we are just going ahead without consultation, without advice from all sides, because we believe that the way to have an excellent bill, with a better chance of success, with a better chance of being accepted by those targeted by it, is to ensure that there have been consultations. This has been done country-wide with the groups I have referred to.

Another very important aspect of this bill is self-funding. Yes, costs will be higher, because we want it to be self-sustaining, but this is in keeping with two government policies. The first is to decrease, if you will, grants and subsidies to business. We realize that, in today's reality, there is less financial flexibility and that we must reduce the costs of government. Reducing these financial supports, if you will, to businesses is one way of being proactive and attaining that objective.

Another objective is reduction of the deficit and the debt. Since this program will be self-supporting, there will be less government money going to businesses. This will have a positive impact on the deficit and the debt. I must add that the new program will provide a better response to businesses needing funding. This is very important.

We are well aware that 30 or 40 per cent of businesses receiving assistance at this time can go to a bank or a caisse populaire and have their needs met by those institutions. So, if 30 or 40 per cent go elsewhere for solutions to their financial needs, more financial assistance will be getting to the businesses that need it.

I have spoken to a number of Manitoba businessmen and businesswomen in my riding and all have indicated to me that this was a step in the right direction. This is an example of a federal government initiative which is country-wide, an example of what we can do together. I will close on this and pick up where I left off later on.

[Quebec Referendum, October 26th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said this yesterday: "As you found out this week, political instability exacts a very heavy cost".

The past few weeks of the referendum campaign, and the past few days in particular, have clearly demonstrated how dramatically our economy can be affected by uncertainty and nervousness on the financial markets, in the business community and among small investors.

Canada offers stability, social peace and an ideal haven to anyone who wants to build and develop. By saying No to Quebec's proposed separation, the people of Quebec will vote for success, prosperity and security.

Canada is the only side that offers change while at the same time preserving stability and protecting what has been gained. That is why the people of Quebec will say no to separation.

[Petitions, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour and a privilege for me to present a petition from my constituents stating the importance of young people and how their voices must be heard when we make decisions that will inherently affect their future.

A healthy and safe environment, meaningful employment and education are issues that affect all of us but they have a more profound effect on our country's youth, as does a united Canada, a country which includes Quebec.

These petitioners want to make sure that, when making decisions that affect young people, whether these decisions concern employment, learning, retraining or training, the constitution or this country in general, we take into consideration our young people in Quebec and the rest of Canada.

[The Constitution, October 25th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the Prime Minister said: "Voting No means rejecting separation. It does not mean that we give up anything regarding the Canadian constitution. We will keep open all the other paths for change, including the administrative and constitutional ones".

On Monday, Quebecers will decide not only the future of Quebec, but also, indirectly, the future of Canada.

Quebec's claims are increasingly echoed by a number of other provinces.

The changes that many of our fellow citizens have been hoping for can only be achieved by voting No. We are confident that, on October 30, Quebecers will say no to the breakup of Canada and that they will choose to continue to work to improve our great country.

[Referendum Campaign, October 24th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, we are only a few days away from the referendum. Quebecers will soon have to decide whether or not they want to leave Canada.

Before making a decision, they should know that Canadians from the other provinces do not want Quebec to separate. Quebec is more than just one province among others. It is the very source of our history, our culture, our identity.

Through its politicians, its thinkers, its reporters, its artists, its athletes, its entrepreneurs, its trade unionists, Quebec has always been closely linked to Canada's development.

On October 30, Quebec will say No to Canada's break-up and decide to carry on its exciting adventure with its Canadian partners and to continue to shape this society, which is the envy of all the people in the world.

[Referendum Campaign, October 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the separatist dream merchants received a cold shower from the United States. The U.S. secretary of state, Warren Christopher, dispelled the separatist dream concerning the special relationship that an independent Quebec would continue to have with the United States.

Mr. Christopher said: "The fact that Canada is a united nation is an important aspect which explains our ability to get along with that country, to do business with it, and to have a successful relation".

Separatist leaders can continue to generate confusion and sell dreams wherever they go, but they will never succeed in fooling Quebecers. On October 30, Quebecers will say no to a project which would only isolate Quebec.

[Petitions, October 19th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to present a petition from my constituents reaffirming the importance of a united Canada.

This petition is signed and supported by French as well as English speaking Canadians, by aboriginal Canadians and by those Canadians who have come from other countries.

It is an honour for me to represent these cultures as they come together to voice their desire to keep Canada united and to keep Quebec in Canada.

Clearly, a vast majority of Canadians want a strong, united Canada, as do a large number of French Canadians and other francophones in Canada.

[Francophone Communities, October 18th, 1995]

Mr. Speaker, I was very impressed by an ad placed by the francophone community of Alberta in the Wednesday edition of Le Soleil two weeks ago.

What it said reflected the concerns of French speaking communities across Canada. Canada is recognized around the world as a bilingual country where both English and French are spoken. The future of the French language in Canada would be seriously threatened in a divided country. It is obvious.

Francophones were among the founders of cities like Moncton, Winnipeg, Regina and Edmonton. The voyageurs who discovered new territories and the settlers who farmed this new land are but a few examples of this. We must not break the ties between Quebec and francophone communities in the other Canadian provinces. Together, we are stronger, much stronger.

I will conclude by quoting the French Canadian Association of Alberta and saying, on behalf of all francophone communities in Canada, that the French language has a place in Canada, and so does Quebec.