Mr. Speaker, I am most enthusiastic about taking part in this debate, which is an extremely important one, in my opinion.
All debates are important, in my opinion, but this one is of vital importance for those who work in the airline industry, and for the consumers, those who fly. It is vital as well for economic and regional development, for all these aspects are interrelated.
Since the first speech by the leader of the Bloc Quebecois, I have listened carefully to everything the representatives of the other parties have had to say. I am delighted that the Progressive Conservative Party and the NDP have declared their intention of backing the motion by the member for Beauport—Montmorency—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île-d'Orléans. This pleases me a great deal.
However, representatives of the other parties—the Liberals of course, and the Reformers—have said they were opposed. As far as Reform is concerned, one could doubt their consistency, as it seems to vary depending on the subject, but in this case their point of view is clear.
The Reform member who has just spoken referred to the interests of the west. She did not seem to be upset by the fact that the Americans want to get their hands on more shares in the airlines.
The Bloc Quebecois' position is consistent with earlier government decisions in certain areas. In the case of the banks, or other sectors of the economy, the 10% rule was enforced. The exception was CN, where the government allowed up to 15%. The Bloc Quebecois was not in agreement.
We have therefore always been consistent. If the rule is 10%, we are not going to change it to suit the circumstances. We therefore have to wonder why the Minister of Transport said, before Air Canada shareholders have cast their votes at the November 8 meeting, “Things are changing, and we must too”.
Why change at this particular time, when we know that not a session goes by—at least, not since I have been in parliament— that the situation in the airline industry is not discussed in one way or another?
There have been questions from all the opposition parties. The government had things to say as well. Everyone was concerned about the future of Air Canada and of Canadian International Airlines. So why, at this particular time, is the government, while claiming not to want to intervene, suggesting that, before shareholders make their fateful decision on November 8, it would now be prepared to change the 10% rule?
And the suggestion was not made by just anybody. Not by an official, a backbencher or a parliamentary secretary, but by the Minister of Transport himself. So, he is speaking on behalf of Cabinet. So, they have discussed the matter.
When we look at the series of events that have occurred since August 13, we can see that, in the end, we are in a context in which the government has decided to make a choice. It has waited for just the right moment. Why? Because Onex is involved. It knew that Onex was prepared to act. The government, according to us—at least that is what I think—the government is changing its tune, and now it would like to help Onex with its project. Since it does not want to do so overtly, it is doing so covertly.
Doing covertly what one cannot do overtly is not being transparent. It is acting. It is a scenario that would do for a great film. It is a strategy that does not fool the members of the Bloc Quebecois or the media, and commentators who are following the story closely.
It is part of a well formulated plan. The way things are going, since the parties on both sides are following this debate even more closely than the average citizen, it is clear that they know how to decode the messages sent them by the government. This ability will significantly influence the results of the general meeting of Air Canada shareholders. At least, it can change it a lot.
So, while the government did not intervene in any way, the Air Canada shareholders will have only one option on November 8: accept or reject Air Canada's offer, since it is the only one that goes by the rules.
There is however one principle at stake, the one according to which we must act in the best interests of all Canadians and of all Quebecers. It is therefore a matter of interest. We must ask ourselves in whose best interests the Minister of Transport was acting when he made his position known on Tuesday.
I am talking about the position he indirectly took when he suggested that he was ready to consider changing the rules. What purpose would that serve? To enhance services? To protect as many jobs as possible? To promote the interests of some shareholders? To promote the interests of a handful of government buddies perhaps?
We do not know. We are asking the question. Today's debate gives us the opportunity to ask this question. The Bloc Quebecois is wondering in whose best interests the government is acting.
This is a rather simple question, at least to us in the Bloc. We have always stated, and we keep reminding people, that we are here—because we only ran candidates in Quebec—to protect the interests of Quebec. We are here first and foremost to protect the interests of our province. Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International are Canadian companies, and competition should be given free reign.
I am surprised to see that our colleagues from the Reform Party, who always saw the competition rule as a protection for consumers, now seem to be supporting the new way of thinking of the transport minister, who is announcing in advance what he intends to do to encourage certain people who have interests or shares in these companies.
The Bloc Quebecois' position is clear: we want the competition rule to be maintained. Obviously, we do not want to see any company disappear. In this era of economic liberalism, performance and the quality of goods and services are the main factors that will make or break a company, and that has to remain.
Even if we had only one major air carrier, there would still be competition because other international carriers fly to Canada, and there are regional carriers that are not affiliated with Air Canada or Canadian International Airlines. For example, starting November 1, Air Montreal will serve Quebec and Ottawa. Therefore, there are opportunities for the regions also, and one sound company that provides good services is better than two that are struggling to survive.