Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question.
I would ask the member perhaps at another time to explain exactly what he means by government encouragement. I do not have a clear understanding of what he means by encouragement. However I would support government working with the banks to encourage a plan for action such as the hon. member suggested.
I talked about the whole matter of financial institutions lending to women. I was taken aback by the report undertaken by the Federal Business Development Bank regarding the gender bias that appears to be apparent with respect to women and how women have access to money to foster and create businesses that will thrive. That is the point I would like to make here. It was concern for gender bias. Women do not appear to be treated fairly by financial institutions, given the nature of the report I cited in my text.
From the Reform Party perspective we encourage and recommend competition in banking provided to entrepreneurs such as service to customers and delivery of quality products. We also recommend an independent ombudsman to adjudicate problems such as the ones I have mentioned. That is a form of problem resolution without having to go to government for further money to resolve the problem.