House of Commons Hansard #123 of the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was countries.

Topics

6:40 p.m.

Liberal

Jean-Claude D'Amours Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is referring to the 2009 budget. It is now two years later; the 2011 budget will soon be presented and, here on the ground, we are not seeing any results.

This is what I mentioned before. On one hand, the parliamentary secretary is saying that a minimum is required and that people must be given Internet access so that they can use it, even more so than in the past, to obtain information. On the other hand, the same government and its minister do not want to reverse the CRTC's decision to imposed usage-based billing for Internet. That is also what we need, because high-speed Internet access is still not available to everyone. That is the first issue.

The second is that people will now be required to pay based on use. When will you reverse the CRTC's decision? Your minister and government need to turn around and make the right decision for Canadian consumers, for the people that we represent. Canadians must be told once and for all that they do not have to worry, that we will take care of them, that they will not have to pay for Internet based on use and that they will continue to be able to have unlimited access to high-speed Internet.

When will the Conservatives make a clear and forthright decision in this regard?

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

Mike Lake Conservative Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB

Mr. Speaker, again the hon. member obviously was not paying attention today during the hearings and the industry minister's press conference afterward. Both the Minister of Industry and the Prime Minister expressed serious concerns about the decision by the CRTC on Monday.

Today, there was a hearing at which we had the opportunity to hear from the head of the CRTC, Mr. Konrad von Finckenstein. I am not sure if the hon. member happened to tune in and watch the hearings. It will rerun on CPAC tonight. Maybe he will have a chance to tune in or get the transcript of it.

This government will always act in the best interests of consumers, increase competition and increase the uptake of technology on behalf of Canadians when it comes to the Internet.

6:40 p.m.

Conservative

The Acting Speaker Conservative Barry Devolin

The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted. Accordingly the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 6:43 p.m.)