Mr. Speaker, my question is for the minister responsible for ACOA.
The country is on its knees financially and the minister stands on a soapbox in Atlantic Canada making noises about ending ACOA's role in handing out grants. Yet at the same time he says ACOA will be involved in providing venture capital to businesses, a function already performed by the Federal Business Development Bank.
Can the minister explain how this move will serve to level the playing field for businesses in Atlantic Canada when it is clear to everyone that taxpayers' dollars will be spent foolishly through a political body?