Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Dr. Harold MacKay and members of the task force for successfully completing the challenging task of reporting on the future of Canadian financial institutions.
Congratulations to the Minister of Finance for insisting that public discussion and full debate take place on the task force's recommendations. Special hearings by the Standing Committee on Finance will allow Canadians from coast to coast to coast to share their views and their concerns on the two bank merger proposals.
This government has clearly demonstrated that it has the best interest of Canadians at heart.
Last September 10, Canadians learned that a merger between the Bank of Montreal and the Royal Bank would result in a boost in small business lending. With one eyebrow raised my constituents say “nice timing” and ask “Why put off until tomorrow what the banks should be doing today?”