Mr. Speaker, I and other members of the NDP continue to raise concerns about the disastrous effect of Bill C-9 on Canadian ports.
One of the most damaging sections of Bill C-9 is section 25. Section 25 bans any federal government from giving any money to any ports to improve their infrastructure.
How dare the government make decisions for future governments. By closing the door to federal investment in ports, this government is on a collision course with Canadians who depend on ports for their livelihood.
Yesterday NDP MPs lobbied members of the Senate transport committee before they rubber stamped the minister's bill but some refused to listen to common sense.
Common sense tells us if we want to remain competitive, we must look at our competition. The Americans understand the importance of investing in their ports and that is what they are doing.
New Democrats call on the minister to suspend approval of Bill C-9 until the disastrous provisions prohibiting federal investment in Canadian ports are removed.