Mr. Speaker, we have already debated the first eight motions of Bill C-20 which were divided into three groups. Finally we are debating Group No. 4. There are three motions in this group, Motions Nos. 9, 10 and 11.
Motions Nos. 9 and 10 ask that a single private individual, an adult over the age of 18, be allowed to bring a case to the commissioner for investigation. The procedure now requires at least six individuals to lodge a complaint before it can be brought forward before the commissioner. This is a mechanism to help to ensure against frivolous and vexatious submissions to the commissioner.
The purpose is to avoid any abuse of the system or abuse of the liberty given to the individual to bring forward the complaint. On the other hand all complaints that fall under the Competition Act are investigated by the commissioner and where deemed appropriate would be placed before the competition tribunal.
Motion No. 11 requests that a single individual be allowed to bring a matter directly before the tribunal, removing any direct involvement of the commissioner. This will have potential for abuse again incurring unnecessary additional costs and creating unnecessary additional math for the small businessman. It is more desirable to have all complaints that fall under the Competition Act investigated first by the commissioner and then where deemed appropriate placed before the tribunal. Let us not put a small business or any business for that matter into an unwanted regulatory mess.
To summarize I remind the House that when the bill was introduced in the House the Reform Party put forward certain amendments to the bill so that we could support it. The government has accepted all those amendments. Therefore we approve of the effort by the government to modernize the Competition Act.
The Reform Party supports vigorous measures to ensure the successful operation of the marketplace. This includes promoting competition and competitive pricing and strengthening and vigorously enforcing competition and anti-combines legislation. We support severe penalties for collusion or price fixing in a competitive marketplace that serves the consumer well. It is reasonable to expect freedom from deception or collusion or any other anti-competitive practice that will inhibit the successful operation of the marketplace.
I am glad to support Bill C-20 on behalf of the citizens of Surrey Central who are citizens of this great country and senior citizens who are more vulnerable to fraud by telemarketers. We will be more than happy to support the bill but not at any cost. At this time we cannot support the amendments in Group No. 4, and as I mentioned earlier in the other three groups as well.