Madam Speaker, I want to speak for a few minutes on Bill C-88 and look at some of the allegations that have been made in previous debates by some members about Bill C-88 and the
unwarranted concerns those allegations may have engendered in other quarters.
The opposition's allegations about Bill C-88 stem from an inability or an obstinate unwillingness to understand the plain meaning of the text of the bill. The Minister of Industry responded in detail to those allegations in this House in May and in June. I will refer to some of the points that need repeating.
Only in rare cases would the federal government be a complainant in a dispute under the agreement on internal trade. If a dispute were resolved in favour of the federal government and if the province involved refused to comply with the impartial panel's findings, the federal government could withdraw benefits of equivalent effect.
Such retaliation would have to be in the same sector as the original violation or in another sector covered by the agreement. Retaliation could not involve-and I think this is important-transfer payments or social programs because those things are not covered by the agreement.
Bill C-88 does not make the federal government the policeman of the agreement on internal trade, as the opposition mistakenly insists. Any careful reading of the headnotes to clause 9 of Bill C-88 and article 1710 of the agreement on internal trade, combined with a minimum of logical reasoning, immediately gainsays the wild allegations that have been made.
It is important to stress that Bill C-88 deals only with what the federal government must do to live up to its obligations under the internal trade agreement and nothing else. Notwithstanding the fact that the concerns expressed were totally unwarranted and clearly tactically motivated, the Minister of Industry has spent some time in committee and in other places speaking to the amendments in Bill C-88.
I will reaffirm the fact that to date, Alberta and Newfoundland have passed legislation to implement the agreement and to comply with their respective obligations under it. Since tabling Bill C-88 in the House on May 1, in the cold light of day the actual substance of the bill has proven to be uncontroversial and designed only to enable the federal government to comply with its obligations under the agreement on internal trade and to meet the negotiated commitments, both legal and moral, to the other parties to the agreement, that is, the provinces and the territories.
There is so much one can say in support of this bill. I want to stress the fact that this straightforward consideration of the bill has been more or less reaffirmed in the discussions and debates which have taken place. It is important to note the urgency of what we are asking now. The passing of Bill C-88 is important to underscore the federal part in ensuring the agreement is implemented.
This is a historic piece of legislation. It will allow the federal government to continue to play a lead role in concert with the governments of the other parties to the agreement. It is also intended to implement the first comprehensive domestic trade agreement in Canada since the British North America Act in 1867.
In the 128 years since 1867 the Canadian economy has grown and evolved in ways never imagined by the fathers of Confederation. The federal government still has constitutional responsibility for interprovincial trade and commerce, but successive governments as a matter of policy have chosen to work co-operatively with the provinces to address internal trade problems.
Barriers and impediments to internal trade lead to the inefficient use of resources. They limit the ability of industry to take advantages of economies of scale and to maintain competitive market positions. The result is to reduce the competitiveness of Canadian business and to adversely affect the Canadian economy.
It is incumbent on all Canadian governments to work together to make the national economy work as effectively and efficiently as possible so that all Canadians can enjoy the benefits of strong economic development, growth and prosperity. I call on all members to look at this straightforward legislation which will provide the needed facility as we work together to provide the kind of environment needed by our businesses.
We have sought to work co-operatively. The whole process which produced the agreement is testament to that. Our approach has been one which speaks to the fact that we are a truly responsible Canadian government. As a truly responsible Canadian government we can take those working arrangements between provinces into the future. I call on hon. members to give their support.