Mr. Speaker, I know my colleague supports the amendments to the Small Business Loans Act.
I agree with him that the average loan made under the act is in the range of $60,000. To many small businesses it is a large amount. We have to look at avenues and ways in which we could support the small micro businesses in their challenge to find seed money, the start up money.
In reference to the merger, the question has been answered in the House time and time again. This government has a committee which is presently at work. We are waiting for the recommendations to come forward.
The finance minister has been quite clear that at this point the merger of the major banks is a concern to us. My colleagues on this side of the House are working to find ways in which we can respond and deal with the issue when it does present itself to us. We still have a whole series of avenues, the caisses populaires, the credit unions, micro credit, community economic development. A whole series of issues has to be put in the mix as we discuss the question of mergers and other questions as to the direction in which our banks are heading.