Madam Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for his last comments, in the best of parliamentary spirit, wishing all of us well. This is a very difficult file and it does have ramifications for travel throughout the country. How we handle this will define who we are as a country and a people as we go into the 21st century.
I was in and out of the chamber, for which I apologize because I missed some of the hon. member's remarks, but I was led to believe that he made a statement to the effect that I have said that the 10% limit is to be raised.
What I said at the committee the other day for the public record is that the government is prepared to consider raising the limit of 10% if, and only if, there is an interest that will be pursued in improving the airline industry. In other words, if it improves the viability or the stability of the airline industry then we would consider it.
I think what we are doing is in the best of parliamentary traditions. We are consulting MPs. We are having a debate today. I welcome the debate as well because I think it has been a very good debate.
I hope the hon. member did not unintentionally mislead the House with his statement a few minutes ago.