Mr. Speaker, when I spoke in the House yesterday on this matter I said I did not participate in any discussion in committee or in cabinet. When the decision was made I was not there. I have absolutely no conflict of interest.
It is true that somebody who is earning his living working for the corporation in question is my son-in-law. This is why I
abstained in the discussion even though it had no conflict of interest at all. I know some people want to attack me but I have been standing proudly in the House for 32 years. Everyone can look at my record.
It just so happens there is a lot of controversy in Canada because there is not enough competition. We had complaints in December because there was an exemption to make sure there would be no competition. My colleagues in the cabinet, without my presence, using the laws of Canada, have made a ruling which is clear. Everybody who wants to can apply for a licence and it will be reviewed under Canadian law. I will not intervene.
However, I will not go down to the level of people who do not have the decency to realize that a Prime Minister of Canada has the right to have his daughter well married.
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