Mr. Speaker, I would point out to the member that we have a motion before us which the Liberal Party of Canada voted on at its convention. I am sure motions often get put forward at Conservative Party conventions.
The purpose of this debate is to inform both the opposition and the country as a whole what the government has been doing. I have been pointing out a number of things which the government has been doing in response to that resolution, whether it is the accelerated capital cost allowance of 33.3% on Canadian built ships or the 25% tariff on most non-NAFTA ship imports. The Export Development Corporation plays a major role. I am sure my hon. colleague was listening when I said that it cannot help a Canadian buyer receiving offers from foreign yards to buy their vessels on terms supported by their national export credit agency.
Let us look at the record. We have a very favourable research and development tax credit system and domestic procurement by the federal government for all government shipbuilding and ship repair needs. The EDC is currently assessing an unprecedented number of shipbuilding proposals which I mentioned in my comments earlier. Obviously, if provinces in this country want to pursue these initiatives they are free to do so.
I pointed out to my colleague earlier the fact that we are building on a policy which has been working well. We did not say it was perfect, but we did say that we are doing something. I want you to keep that in mind.