Madam Speaker, I wish to acknowledge the good work by the member of parliament for Sarnia—Lambton on this matter over the years.
Bill C-276 seeks to amend the Competition Act to ensure that Canadian consumers are not victims of negative option marketing. Negative option marketing offers customers products and services that the consumer is required to expressively decline or opt out of.
How do we provide this protection for Canadians, including those in Quebec? Should it come in the form of Bill C-276 or can it be achieved through market based reform? Those are the important questions. The competition law can profoundly restrict economic freedom and market efficiency and the general move toward strengthening laws should be approached with caution.
With that good note, since my time is so limited, the Canadian Alliance supports free enterprise but recognizes the important role of the government in creating an economic environment with fair and transparent rules that protect both consumers and businesses.