Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for Kootenay—Columbia, who is agreeing with the Liberals today. He also agrees with the NDP. I think he is on the right track for the future. He is welcome, with his good sides, leaning somewhat toward the left, perhaps even with a socialist touch.
Does the hon. member really think that today, in 2005, the situation is acceptable? Take for example a Canadian working for a company, who has completed his or her week of work. The fact of the matter is that companies seldom go bankrupt overnight. One seldom wakes up on Friday morning and, by evening, the company has declared bankruptcy. Knowing that bankruptcy is imminent, how can one figure that the employee, the man or woman, the Canadian who has worked for a company does not deserve to get paid for the work he or she has done for that company?
I believe that the situation is unacceptable. This shows lack of respect for workers. If legislation is in place which applies to all companies and financial institutions across the country, does the member really think that financial institutions are going to refuse to lend money to a company? Will they say, “We do not lend to companies”? I for one do not think so. This is but one of the ways that workers are penalized, like with pension funds in the event of a bankruptcy.
I would like the hon. member to comment on that.