Mr. Speaker, we know there is a very significant partisan element in this debate. I know many people can get upset and excited about taxes but he should be ashamed of himself for engaging in this kind of a partisan debate.
We know that the 70 tax treaties we have around the world assist many thousands of Canadian businesses to do their very best to create opportunities, jobs and wealth for Canada.
We review those treaties continually and we often, in discussions with our treaty partners, make changes to those agreements. However we make those changes after we have done the proper analysis and after we have done the proper studies. When we believe it is in the interest of Canada, then we move forward in making changes with our partners.
This is the way it has been in the past. The Barbados treaty has been in place since 1980. There have been changes and there could well be changes in the future. However for the member to suggest, as he has, that there is something improper is absolutely incorrect and it is in my view a partisan attempt to create an impression that is false.