Very good, thank you.
I am pleased to rise in the House today, particularly after the speech by the representative of the government, the hon. member for Broadview—Greenwood. I trust he was not generalizing, when he said that all the opposition did was criticize. I believe I am very well placed to point out that this was a half-truth.
I trust that he was not generalizing and was referring specifically to one, or all, Reform members. Since the beginning of this Parliament, looking back to when the government has presented bills, it has on a number of occasions had the complete co-operation of the Bloc Quebecois because not only were the rights and obligations of Canadians being advanced, but Quebeckers were also demanding to be properly represented and defended. That the Bloc has done. We have done it since June 2, and even before that, since the 35th Parliament.
In justice, I have personally given 100% co-operation to the new Minister of Justice and I have always offered constructive debate to move legislation forward, to advance the law.
I hope that the member was referring only to a member of the Reform Party or to the Reform Party as a whole and not to the Bloc.
That said, Bill C-10 is another example of the Bloc's leading the way in asking the Liberal government to act in this area, given its importance for a number of Quebeckers and Canadians. This is another area where Canadian and Quebec interests merge, and this bill is a striking example.
What is this bill about and what does it contain? It implements a series of tax conventions between Canada and other countries in order to avoid double taxation. Furthermore, Bill C-10 amends the 1984 tax convention between Canada and the United States, resolving the problems of Quebec and Canadian retirees receiving American pensions.
I am going to talk on behalf of the Bloc Quebecois and Quebeckers because I am in a good position to do so. A number of Quebecers worked in the U.S. and decided, on their retirement, to return to their homeland, the beautiful country of Quebec. They returned to Quebec and received American pensions. Because they had problems with taxation, these people were taxed in the United States and what little they had left from their pension was then taxed in Canada so they were doubly penalized and doubly taxed. Something had to be done.
My riding of Berthier—Montcalm is not near the American border, like other ridings along the Canadian border and the border between Quebec and the States. Despite that, there is a municipality in my riding called Rawdon where there are a number of anglophones who have worked in the States. For a while in the 35th Parliament, a number of my constituents in Berthier—Montcalm contacted me to draw my attention to this tax inequity.
Other members of the Bloc were also contacted. We thus became aware of the problem and rose on a number of occasions in this House with questions and worked in committee to oblige the government to act quickly. It did not act as quickly as we wanted, but it did act. A sin confessed is half forgiven. At least the government acted and introduced a bill. You know how the Liberals across the way are. With them, nothing is ever simple. You know how the many Liberals listening to my remarks today are. They had to cloud the issue.