House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 49% of the vote.
Foreign Investment October 25th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, this is the type of frightening question that the NDP likes to ask.
I can reassure Canadians. We will not listen to the NDP because the NDP is against investment and free trade. The NDP is against all that.
The NDP is in favour of a carbon tax that would put a $21 billion burden on the shoulders of Canadian taxpayers.
To come back to foreign investment, I would like to say that every decision that this government makes is in the best interests of Canadians.
Foreign Investment October 24th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I must remind the House that the previous Liberal government never turned down any single deal.
On our side of the House, we put in place new rules and new guidelines back in 2007 regarding state-owned enterprises. We also put in provisions on national security issues.
As I said, I was not satisfied that the proposed deal would bring a net benefit for Canada. That is why we said the company has 30 days from the decision to make additional representations.
Foreign Investment October 24th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as I said, in 2007 we put in place new guidelines for state-owned enterprises. In 2009, we put forward national security provisions, which the NDP voted against. Then we introduced tools to communicate with the public. With regard to the transaction in question, I repeat that we will examine it carefully. Every decision made by this government is made in the best interests of Canadians.
Foreign Investment October 24th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we are open for foreign investment and each investment has to provide a net benefit for our country. However, on clarity, the members on the other side of the House are anti-trade, anti-investment and they offer a carbon tax that would put a $21 billion burden on the shoulders of Canadian taxpayers. We will not go down that path.
Foreign Investment October 24th, 2012
Mr. Speaker, we improved the rules in 2007. We put in new guidelines for the state-owned enterprises. We put in a national security provision in 2009 and tools to communicate, also.
As I said in regard to the proposed transaction, this will be scrutinized very closely. Each decision taken by the government is taken in the best interests of Canadians.
Foreign Investment October 23rd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, with regard to the CNOOC proposed transaction, I reiterate to my colleague that this transaction will be scrutinized very closely. We will have to make sure that it provides a net benefit for Canada. All decisions by this government will be taken in the best interests of Canadians.
Foreign Investment October 23rd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, I remind the member that changes have already been made to the legislation. For example, in 2007, with respect to guidelines for state-owned enterprises; in 2009, with respect to additional provisions for national security; and in 2009 and 2012 with respect to means of communication.
As for the two deals she just mentioned, and more specifically the Petronas deal, I said that I was not satisfied that the transaction would be a net benefit for Canada. As of the date the decision was made, Petronas has 30 days to intervene and take further steps.
Foreign Investment October 22nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, the member should know that article 20 in the law contains factors for evaluating net benefit.
As I said, I told the investor that I was not satisfied that the proposed transaction was going to provide net benefit for the country. The investor has 30 days from the decision to make additional representations.
Our government welcomes foreign investments that are in the best interest of the country.
Foreign Investment October 22nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as my colleague knows, section 20 of the act sets out the established criteria. We must take into account certain factors when evaluating whether or not a proposed transaction is of net benefit.
As for the transaction in question, I informed the investor that I was not convinced that it would be of net benefit to Canada. The investor has 30 days from the date of the decision to make additional proposals. Hence, as of today, it has 27 days.
Foreign Investment October 22nd, 2012
Mr. Speaker, as the leader of the Liberal Party mentioned, the investor has the opportunity to make additional representations in the next 27 days.
I announced that I was not satisfied that the proposed investment would bring a net benefit to Canada.
As the member knows, we have the law. It is clear. There are factors under article 20, plus guidelines. As we all know, we welcome an investment that is in the best interests of our country.