Mr. Speaker, Rivière des Mille-Îles is one of the most beautiful rivers in Quebec and it is located in the Montreal region. I must invite you to go down it by canoe in August. The downriver excursion is a very popular event; this year more than 4,500 people took part. My riding is along the shores of this lovely river.
Let us talk of something other than lovely rivers, even it is a whole lot more interesting to talk of Rivière des Mille-Îles than Bill C-38.
When I hear the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs boast about how well things are going in Quebec, I realize he is not being realistic. I tell myself he is not coming to see the day-to-day situation.
His riding is located in the heart of Montreal, so where is the Minister for International Trade?
Yes, things are going well in Quebec. But if I were a federal government member or minister, I would not brag, because Quebecers are the ones who are doing all the work. Considering all the money that has been taken from the social transfers to the provinces since 1993, the minister should know that if we have a balanced budget in Quebec, it is not thanks to Ottawa's help. Heavens no.
Let us now deal with Bill C-38. It is true that I read it quickly, but I spent enough time on it to come to a conclusion. Upon reviewing this bill, I came to the conclusion that, in his proposed bank reform, the Minister of Finance is assuming, through Bill C-38, the right to be the only one to decide the future of banks in Quebec. If this is indeed the case, then it is truly worrisome.
If my interpretation of this bill is right, if the minister is assuming this right, then it is really scary.
My colleague, the hon. member for Drummond, delivered a brilliant speech, which shows that she came well prepared. Does she share my impression that the Minister of Finance is assuming the right to be the only one to decide the future of banks in Quebec?