Thank you, Mr. Richards.
Mr. Goldstein, I would first like to congratulate you for managing the restructuring of the Canadian Tourism Commission, which is now called Destination Canada. You had to hold consultations with the industry across the country, not just with officials in Ottawa, to identify its interests. You have been doing so very well.
To me, the tourism industry is an export industry. This is especially true now that the value of the Canadian dollar is very low. You will be able to benefit greatly from this. It is a nice way of attracting tourists here, although it is unfortunate for Canadians who are less able to travel abroad. However, perhaps they will travel a little more within the country.
Let me congratulate you for the work that you have accomplished during the restructuring.
I would also like to take the opportunity to tell my colleagues that we have a motion to debate regarding the appearance of the Bombardier representatives. We want to ask them about the billions of dollars that they will be receiving and about the company's financial situation.
It is important for all the members of the committee and all the MPs to know why Bombardier needs $1.2 billion to be competitive and what type of assistance the company has requested from the Canadian government. I constantly hear the concerns of my constituents in Quebec about this issue. The workers and entrepreneurs of Beauce who pay their taxes hardly appreciate their taxes going to companies managed by millionaires. It is important that the committee look into this matter.
To wrap up, I would like us to discuss my motion, which reads as follows:
That the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Economic Development of the House of Commons convenes the company Bombardier Inc. to enlighten the committee on its financial position and explains the reasons that led it to request a financial assistance to the Government of Canada.
I think it would be very important to have this debate as soon as possible, because as you know, the government wants to go ahead with $1 billion in grants to a corporation. We call that corporate welfare. I think it is important to be able to have this debate as soon as possible.