Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the House the concerns of many of my constituents regarding banks being allowed to enter the auto leasing industry.
My riding is an urban-rural split. While that sometimes results in a polarization of viewpoints, on this issue my constituents, rural and urban alike, are saying the same thing: Keep banks out of the auto leasing business.
I have had calls and letters from throughout the riding and the province objecting to these changes. All feel that allowing the banks into this field would deal a mortal blow to the car dealerships, the small businesses that currently handle this business. These businesses employ people in the community, contribute to community events and support the volunteer efforts that make a community strong.
The big banks and car manufacturers do not need people like me to lobby for them; they have highly paid professionals to do that job. The people I am concerned about are the small businesses in Saskatoon-Humboldt and elsewhere in the province of Saskatchewan. On their behalf I urge the government not to change the Bank Act to allow banks into the auto leasing business.