Mr. Speaker, yesterday the performance of the the Minister responsible for ACOA around Scotia Rainbow was an embarrassment to not only Canadians but to his own caucus colleagues. He referred to a petition signed by what is left of the Liberal Party in Cape Breton, clearly showing that where Scotia Rainbow is concerned the government has everything to hide.
Let us review Mr. Lafrenière's track record: two companies bankrupt, one company in receivership, rubber cheques to employees and others, and environmental disasters in Quebec and Nova Scotia. The ACOA minister has overlooked this and instead considered his Liberal connections: a picture with the Prime Minister, an $8,000 donation to the Liberal Party, and using company time and staff to assemble lawn signs for Liberal campaigns. Mr. Lafrenière may be a good Liberal but it appears he is not a good businessman.
The government should ask for a refund for its dance lessons because, try as it might, it can no longer do the two step around Scotia Rainbow.