—where I was served in English only, I realized that the Government of Canada wants the banks to be the key strategic components of its economic development plan.
The government has decided to protect the banks, especially those operating in Canada, against foreign invaders. It has therefore set the limit at 20% of shares per shareholder, and will not go higher than that.
However, in the case of the National Bank, a bank operating mainly in Quebec, which helps out small businesses which in turn greatly support the economic development of Quebec, should the proportion of shares be allowed to increase to 65%, there could be a takeover that would change the whole political situation and result in the National Bank not lending so much money to small businesses anymore.
I am not sure what it is, but what I realized this morning is that there is some danger here, a trap, or a trick, to use one of the favourite expressions of the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. There is more here than meets the eye. There is again a double standard that is meant to hurt Quebec.
I hope my fellow citizens will understand that we now have one more reason to create our own country: to make what we want out of our bank.