Mr. Speaker, I will speak to Bill C-70, as my colleagues have, but I would like to start by drawing the attention of the House to a number of little problems.
For instance, we find it regrettable that the Minister of Finance tabled these documents less than 24 hours ago. We are talking of a 300-page document. You will understand that, given the importance of the subject, such a document cannot be flipped through any old way.
I would not raise this question, I can assure you, if this were an isolated case. A few weeks ago, however, during the firearms debate, I recall that the minister provided journalists, at noon on the dot, with documents I received only at a quarter to three, and the press conferences took place after question period.
You will understand that, in the public interest, the opposition must be given enough time to read documents in advance so they can react in an informed manner, in order to enrich the debate and to lead to better decision making.
I would also point out that, in connection with the tobacco legislation, the Minister of Health called a press conference last week in the press gallery, and it was only once I was there that I was able to examine the documents the minister was just about to discuss. We are not talking about 24 hours here, or even 2 hours, we are talking about 15 or 20 minutes notice.
One might say that the government has acquired the bad habit of sidestepping debate. Again today, through procedural manoeuvring, a worthwhile discussion was cut short. There are times, mind you, when I wonder what is the use of having a debate in this House. Anyway, I am told this is the best system around. Perhaps, but when this system fails as it did today, it acts as a muzzle and no longer serves public interest, as if that was not already difficult enough.
That is why I felt the need to start my remarks by submitting to you and to this House that acting this way is not in the public interest, and that the official opposition, with all the good will in the world, can only make as useful a contribution as the government will allow it to make by distributing documents in a timely manner. We have to rely on them for that.
That said, Bill C-70 is about the GST, the sacrosanct GST, which, while it was supposed to be abolished, not only still exists, but will now be harmonized. Will it be harmonized harmoniously? That is the question.
The most challenging problem facing us is the fact that the government agreed to pay approximately $1 billion in compensation to the maritimes if they harmonized their sales taxes. Naturally, this enables them to cut their taxes from 19 to 15 per cent. If I lived in the maritimes, I would probably think this is a great idea. The problem is that, for the time being, Canada includes not only the maritimes, but also Quebec.
And Quebec's contribution to this effort amounts to about $250 million. A few minutes ago, I heard the Liberal member say that this will give a competitive edge to businesses in the maritimes. It undoubtedly will. But when he said this, he was saying to Quebecers, not to mention Ontarians, that they are taking a loss so people in the maritimes can benefit.
If it were possible to use Quebec and Ontario resources to help other provinces, it would be fine. But Quebec is having financial problems.
Are you asking me to conclude now? Then I will have a few minutes to speak at three o'clock.