Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. This morning, we learned that the Minister of Finance has disclosed wide-ranging business holdings and this raises a number of important questions. The Minister of Finance, who is also responsible for regional development in Quebec, cannot take part in cabinet discussions relating to shipbuilding, shipping, whether by rail or by sea, the St. Lawrence Seaway and rail and bus transportation systems.
Considering that the Minister of Finance has primary responsibility for economic policy, will the Deputy Prime Minister not recognize that her colleague's diverse holdings pose a major problem in so far as cabinet operations are concerned, since he cannot become involved in a number of major economic issues?