Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport and it concerns the offer by CP to buy CN east of Winnipeg.
I wonder if the Minister of Transport is aware of arguments to the effect that if CP were to be permitted by the government to buy CN east of Winnipeg, given the tax treatment of such a purchase CP might well get CN from the Canadian taxpayer for nothing.
I would like to ask the Minister of Transport if he could assure us that in the event the government does consider this proposal it would make absolutely sure, even if it has to change the tax system to do so, CP does not rip off the Canadian taxpayer by manipulating the tax system in such a way as to get CN for nothing.
Even better, could he assure us today that the government will have nothing to do with this offer whatsoever even though it has been extended?