Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief.
I want to take this opportunity on behalf of my colleagues in the New Democratic Party to indicate our support for the bill that has been proposed by the member for Sarnia-Lambton.
As the member of Parliament for Burnaby-Kingsway, I recall the tremendous sense of outrage and the anger of my constituents at the time that Rogers Cable proposed the negative option billing. There were many calls and letters. I spoke out at the time against that option and urged the government to move forward with strong and effective legislation. Therefore, I am pleased to see that this bill is now before the House.
I also want to note that the New Democratic government of British Columbia has also shown national leadership on the issue. I know that members of the House and those watching would want to know that the B.C. New Democratic government has shown leadership and has moved on this front at the provincial level under consumer legislation to ban negative option billing in the province of British Columbia.
However, this is a matter that falls within federal jurisdiction under broadcast regulations. I welcome the opportunity to support the legislation and I hope members of the House will pass this bill.