Mr. Speaker, it was not my intention to rise on this grouping but something was said this afternoon that I think needs some clarification.
To begin with, I dare say that Bill C-9 has been refined with consultation and consensus from all stakeholders. It has been refined like no bill I have ever seen in my nine years in this place. As some will recall, it was Bill C-44 in the last parliament.
I will deal with the last item first, the very strong words of the hon. member for Charlotte who discussed the great port of Bayside. It is a great port. I agree wholeheartedly with the hon. member. He understands his constituency well. That wharf is in excellent shape and is capable of handling all the shipping interests in that port.
The hon. member spoke of individuals like the hon. Doug Young, once a minister of the crown in this place, and Mr. Paul Zed, a distinguished member who served his time here as a parliamentary secretary. These gentlemen are involved in a lobby organization and are doing their thing in the private sector. I say good for them.
However the hon. member for Charlotte must understand that if they are doing work for individuals it has nothing to do with whatever the government is proposing to do with Bayside and what will eventually develop for Bayside as a divested port.
It must be made clear that the port of Bayside is having discussions with the Government of Canada through what is called the Bayside Port Steering Committee Inc., which is made up of local users of the port of Bayside. They are currently, with all due diligence, putting together negotiations with Transport Canada to transfer the port at the discretion of the government at the end of the day.
If the hon. member has any names of any individuals or any municipalities that want to come forward to offer their representations to the government, the minister or the Ministry of Transport, they will be given equal opportunity to be heard on the matter of having Bayside divested to them under a negotiated deal. Let them come forward. We welcome everyone's participation in the process.
Just to clarify as well for the hon. member for Charlotte, the Bayside port steering committee again is made up of local users in the area and is chaired by Mr. Fred Nicholson. He is a gentleman who clearly has nothing to do with the allegations the hon. member put forward today, along with the very strong descriptions of the individuals he put forward.
The hon. member referred to Mr. Waterman. He is an American, as I understand it. He wants to develop the lands adjacent to the port for aggregate. I stand to be corrected, but Mr. Waterman has no interest in running a port. He wants the stone next door to the port.