Mr. Speaker, I commend the Bloc for bringing up this particular motion. The member has spoken well on this issue, articulating his party's position.
I believe that generally taxes have gone up in Canada in the last few years. The compliance costs of regulations or statutory instruments in Canada have gone up significantly. It is estimated that $12,000 per family is the compliance cost of various regulations in Canada. It is a hidden tax. On top of that, user fees have gone up, particularly beyond cost recovery. It is unfair and unauthorized taxation. In total, taxes, the compliance costs of regulations and user fees, all types of taxes, are very high.
Where there is unfair competition from countries such as Barbados or the Bahamas and others, it undermines Canada's tax system. Various Canadian institutions and political leaders have taken advantage of this unfair competition. Surprisingly, the former finance minister is alleged to have taken full advantage of this. I would say that he has abused the process, even though there is conflict of interest. Ordinary Canadians do not have the privileges the former finance minister had.
This whole process has created a situation when there is abundant loyalty to Canada and it has jeopardized the sovereignty of Canada in this whole system. I would like to know from the hon. member what he thinks about the system. On the one hand in this system, taxes have gone up, all kinds of taxes, hidden and otherwise, whereas the treaty with Barbados, for example, shows that political leaders in various situations have taken advantage whereas ordinary Canadians cannot. Would the member like to comment and say if he is in agreement?