Madam Speaker, I appreciate the comments made by the parliamentary secretary. Although I do not agree with everything, certainly I agree with the comment that the tax treaty rules are very complex and there are loopholes . Maybe because of that, and in addition because of unfair competition and tax havens, they undermine the Canadian economy. They have an adverse economic impact on Canada's economy.
Tax treaty rules are so complex and have so many loopholes that some people, including the leader of this country and probably the future prime minister of the country, when he and his family had a business, took advantage and probably abused the system to some extent.
We also know that the underground economy in Canada is huge. Tax evasion continues. Money laundering and other things also continue. We are all familiar with the various frauds that have been taking place with regard to the GST and other areas.
The question is not about longstanding friendship with Barbados. The question is, does the member not agree to plugging the holes that undermine Canadian tax laws and the Canadian economy?