Mr. Speaker, with Bill C-88, the Agreement on Internal Trade Implementation Act, the government is acting as though it is eager to impose sanctions in the case of trade disputes between two provinces. The bill provides that the federal government may cut off transfer payments and suspend subsidies to any province that fails to comply with the internal trade agreement.
Would the Minister of Industry confirm that with the powers the federal government has assumed pursuant to Bill C-88, it will be able to suspend or reduce any contribution for social programs financing in the case of a province that does not comply with the agreement on internal trade?