Mr. Speaker, I was hoping the minister would put to rest the terrible rumour I heard that the figure on the new proposed $2 coin might be a soft walled, shiny topped dingy. That did not happen and it is unfortunate.
I want to get down to the matter of his responsibility with regard to ACOA. We know there are several regional development agencies flowing from the federal government: ACOA, western economic diversification, FORD-Q and other northern development agencies.
If someone with a grade five education sat down and thought about it, he or she would realize this whole concept is wrong. First, history tells us it is wrong. It has not worked in his region of Atlantic Canada. We have seen DREE grants, ACOA grants and loan programs for not years but decades and they have not worked. They have been part of a continuation of a depressed economy. In some of these regions they have not solved the problem.
If we think about it, the reasons are obvious. First, the payback of taxpayers' dollars going through the administration here in Ottawa and then back out to the regions is very costly. They are very expensive departments with gold windows that have to be replaced and huge staffs. It is also an opportunity for ministers to have undue influence in the tendering process. It tends to have people come to ministers hat in hand, asking for a grant or a loan.
I know that recently the minister responsible for ACOA has removed the granting program. I believe that is due in large measure to criticism from the Reform caucus that pointed out the blatant pork barrelling and the problems with the whole program of grants.
Now ACOA is restricted to lending funds to business. In fact, they have reduced the lending. However, businesses can get loans from other institutions such as banks and credit unions. Why would we need ACOA to grant loans? It is a very costly way for the taxpayers to help businesses. Also the amount lent out is reduced. Yet we still have the department and the minister responsible as well as his staff. There are not the cuts at the top we need because we are doing less with more.
How can the minister stand in the House and justify ACOA, western economic diversification and other regional development agencies that have failed miserably. They have added poverty to Canada and have been an opportunity for pork barrelling and misuse of federal funds.