Mr. Speaker, to start with, I would like to congratulate the Bloc members, especially the member for Joliette, for putting forward this motion and for this very important initiative.
It is astounding that we as members of Parliament have to debate this matter this year, at this point in our history. It is astounding that we need a motion to ask the government to put an end to our tax convention with Barbados, a tax haven that allows wealthy taxpayers and Canadian corporations to avoid their tax obligations.
It is incredible that we are here today debating a motion calling on the government to close tax havens. How is it possible in this day and age that such havens still exist? How is it possible, given all the rhetoric of this government, all that commitment about accountability, transparency and integrity, that such loopholes still exist in our society today? I want to address that today.
I want to indicate at the outset that I will be splitting my time with the member for Winnipeg Centre. We both have a lot to say about this issue, particularly since coming from Winnipeg we have had very close hand experience with a similar issue, and that is project loophole.
Members of the House may recall in fact that it was a Winnipegger by the name of George Harris with the support of an organization, a social justice coalition called Choices--