Mr. Speaker, we have just finished the report stage of Bill C-11. We have just voted on the various motions introduced by the New Democratic Party, and of course the people behind those motions were the hon. members for Sydney—Victoria and for Bras-d'Or—Cape Breton.
These amendments were given overall support by the Bloc Quebecois because they addressed certain elements affecting employees and former employees and their future.
We in the Bloc Quebecois agree with the principle of privatization even if, on occasion, the positions are not always readily obvious. On the one hand, we are told it is not profitable and that they want to sell it, and on the other that it could be privatized profitably, because the local people could operate it. This is a pretty unclear situation, and a number of questions need to be asked.
First of all, we know that the future of the coal industry is not clear. From the strictly environmental point of view, we know what results it can have. From the operational point of view, more and more people are trying to use alternative energies. There are questions to be asked about the coal industry per se.
But the minister tells us it is not cost-effective. Moreover the president of the Cape Breton Economic Development Corporation came before the committee to also tell us it was not cost-effective. So the question needs to be asked. If it is not cost-effective, if the government was not able to make it cost-effective when it was in charge, how can it manage to be so as a private enterprise? What is hidden behind all this? Is the government putting Devco up for sale merely to get rid of its responsibility?
One thing struck me in this matter. Since the government got involved in the Cape Breton Development Corporation in 1967, some $2.5 billion has been spent, in money for the coal division or the industrial development division or for investments already made or about to be made in economic development. This is a lot of money.
When the government got involved in 1967 and committed itself to spending this $2.5 billion, imagine the regional and economic development this sum could have provided had it not all been invested in coal alone.
In general terms, the Bloc Quebecois supports privatization, but also supports employee protection. We support almost all the amendments proposed, especially those of the NDP.
The Bloc Quebecois opposes all positions taken by the federal government, which meddles in areas of provincial responsibility. Clause 5 of the bill provides that, even if the federal government disposes of Devco assets, it remains responsible for all work related matters, including the CSST, labour standards and labour relations.
It is for this reason primarily that we cannot support the bill. Another reason is the government's refusal to support the NDP amendments. And we can see in this whole matter the government's inability to provide solid regional development for everyone.
The Bloc Quebecois will therefore vote against Bill C-11.