Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. member who just entered the debate. I thought his analysis of the function of the mint was very interesting and very good.
However, could he address the question of whether he finds his support of the bill, generally, not to be inconsistent with his criticism of what the mint is doing?
Would he agree that clause 2 of the bill, which amends section 4 of the Royal Canadian Mint Act, expands rather dramatically the power of the mint? It allows precisely what he just said in his speech. He disagrees with what the mint is doing, mainly getting into the coin plating business. This bill allows that to happen and gives the powers to the mint to do precisely that.
While he may disagree with the mint doing that, the legislation being proposed permits the mint to do precisely what he says he does not want it to do.
That is exactly the point and why I object to that clause. The hon. member, on the one hand, says he disagrees with that; on the other hand, he supports the amendment. Could he clarify the apparent contradiction here?