Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by picking up on my colleague's remarks.
For a moment it sounded hopeful when we heard the Leader of the Opposition speak about Canada's interests. I know that this member who has fought for Canada and has a deep feeling for Canada must have moments of doubt, especially when we are dealing with an issue like this one today. Maybe eventually he will convert back to his Canada-first policy, which he once had. I say that sincerely and hopefully. I hope it is a temporary difference we are having.
My question has to do with the actual transaction. The original transaction on this Ginn Publishing deal stemmed from when Gulf and Western had to offload it. When there was no
Canadian purchaser, the CDIC purchased it for $10.2 million. However there was a condition attached to that transaction and it was that if the policy of the government changed, if the Baie Comeau policy changed, then Paramount had the option to buy back Ginn Publishing.
Can the leader not see that there was a sale and agreement that was consummated in 1986? This was really a conclusion to that deal because of the policy shift. As a government, in effect, we were boxed in.