Mr. Speaker, I was pleased with the hon. member's comments, particularly the rational way in which he analysed the bill.
How would he apply the general principle that government should do those things and only those things that the people cannot do as well or better themselves? This is a fundamental principle. The government should do things. I agree with the hon. member that there are things the government can do which the people cannot do for themselves or cannot do as well for themselves. Could he elaborate on that a little more?
Some of the crown corporations become an end unto themselves. They serve their own ends. They are no longer filling a gap or doing that which the people cannot do as well. They are taking jobs away from people.
It is this principle we have to look at, particularly with regard to proposed clause 2 of the Royal Canadian Mint Act which expands those powers to where the act says the mint can buy anything, do anything, and so on.