Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to clear something up. I presented Bill C-493—it already has a number—on April 15. I have been seeking members' support ever since. This week, I am already close to the 100 signatures I need to have the bill introduced for debate more quickly.
As for the idea of a court, that would be consistent with what I said earlier about a summit, or negotiations with the United States. It is one suggestion that could be made as part of the negotiations to have Canadian shipbuilding included in the free trade agreement.
I would remind the House that, at the time, it was the United States that wanted shipbuilding excluded. The Progressive Conservative government of the day could not persuade them otherwise. They have two associations, one representing the seven or eight largest shipyards, and the other representing the others, and one of the two associations would not budge. At the time, the Republicans controlled the Senate and Congress and the idea was therefore defeated.
I will conclude by thanking the member for Fundy—Royal, the member for Saint John, and the New Democratic Party members for their excellent co-operation and their devoted efforts on this issue. Reform Party members were initially hesitant about a shipbuilding policy.
If we all put the national interest first, perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry will at last be able to convince his colleagues to adopt a truly national shipbuilding policy.