Mr. Speaker, the Liberal red book highlighted the importance of Canada's infrastructure to our economy. Yet the Liberal government has done another about face by selling off CN Rail which takes away a vital link in our transportation infrastructure.
The Canadian people will no longer be participants in our rail economy, the transportation link that built Canada.
In preparation for the sell-off, CN laid off 11,000 Canadians. As a former trainman for CN Rail, I saw firsthand the good work done in bringing grain and other Canadian products to market. I am one of thousands of Canadians who are deeply concerned about even further job loss caused by putting CN Rail on the auction block.
With no rules on foreign ownership, CN is destined, with the Liberal government's blessing, to be purchased by individuals and corporations with no interest in Canada's future. The Liberal government is exchanging an east-west transportation system for a north-south system that will see even more foreign control of the Canadian economy.
Bill C-89 brings to an end Canadians' ownership and control of their own railway and only leaves further job loss and more debt for Canada.