Mr. Speaker, let us set a few facts straight from the beginning. Yes, the use of the direction by the government is unprecedented. It is a relatively recent power contained in the Broadcasting Act, as the hon. member knows.
There is nothing wrong with the government having power to make policy. That is what we are elected to do, to establish policy. That is what our responsibility is, to establish policy, yes, for Canadians. That direction does not give anyone a licence. What it does is create a level playing field for competition where companies can apply to get a licence on fair terms.
The government does not direct who gets a licence. The government does not tell the CRTC what to do. The government sets the policy direction. That is what our responsibility is.
If the Reform Party is against competition, if Reform Party members do not care about the interests of consumers, let them stand up and say so. If they are interested in competition, let us hear one, just one, solitary, useful suggestion as to how we get competition.