Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows the Criminal Code of Canada deals with gambling by providing for blanket prohibition and then allowing it by exceptions specifically in relation to the provinces.
The provinces are allowed to operate lottery schemes. They are allowed to be the operators of casinos with table games and slot machines. There is no provision in the Criminal Code at present to allow the federal government to operate or to licence casinos directly for gambling.
I must tell the hon. member there is no plan at present to amend the gambling provisions of the code to provide for additional exceptions, such as the private operation of casinos as he suggests. In order to do such a thing at least two requirements would have to be met. First we would have to negotiate with the provinces for an agreement to that effect. Second, we would have to deal with the provisions of the coasting trade act which has regulations that would pertain to any such arrangement.
If the hon. member cared to pursue in detail any aspect of this question, I would be happy to meet with him for that purpose.