Mr. Speaker, during the past several months I have received numerous representations from insurance brokers in Simcoe North. These small business people have valid concerns about the possibility of chartered banks being permitted to aggressively enter the insurance business.
On the surface this may appear to be just two industries in competition over a business segment, but it is much more than that. It is about the survival of many hundreds of small insurance brokerage firms located in towns and cities throughout Canada. It is also about the consumers of insurance services who will receive less personalized, untailored insurance coverage from inexpert bank representatives pushing inflexible, preset insurance plans.
This government is very concerned with creating conditions in which small and medium enterprises can grow and prosper. I hope this positive attitude will prevail when it comes to the hundreds of insurance brokers across Canada.