Maxime Bernier

[Mining Industry, June 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague knows, the provisions under the Investment Canada Act do not allow me to comment on any questions like that. As usual, we will act in the best interests of all Canadians.

[Softwood Lumber, June 14th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this is the best agreement that we have ever had. It is a historic agreement. We are proud of it and very pleased. We are going to ensure that the softwood lumber industry finds its way back to prosperity.

[Softwood Lumber, June 14th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, the softwood lumber industry waited five years for what we managed to get for it.

Since the election of this new government, we have brought prosperity to Canadians working in the softwood lumber industry. More than loan guarantees, we have brought guarantees of a prosperous future; these are guarantees of free, unfettered access to the American market; these are guarantees of a better future for the communities.

I am proud of that and proud of the work done by my colleague, the Minister of International Trade. We are going to continue down this same path.

[Telecommunications, June 14th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to have introduced in this House yesterday a proposed policy direction for the CRTC. This is a first. The proposal is clear: we are telling the CRTC to rely more on market forces, and, as I said in a speech yesterday in Toronto—if my hon. colleague had read it, he would have known—to ensure that remote regions continue to enjoy the same services they do now.

[Oil Companies, June 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, it is not right to say that this government prefers one industry over another. In the last budget, we implemented tax cuts for all industries in Canada. We cut capital gains taxes. We cut the GST; a cut that will be implemented shortly, on July 1. This will have repercussions on consumers. We are quite pleased with this record.

[Oil Companies, June 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague should know that the price at the pump increases and decreases according to international price fluctuations and the price per barrel of oil. It should be noted that today, the price at the pump is 30% lower than it was in the 1980s, when the Liberal Party implemented the national energy program.

The price is quite high again these days, but it fluctuates. The most important thing for us is that we will cut the GST on July 1, which will have an impact on the price at the pump.

[Gasoline Prices, June 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I am very surprised to hear the Bloc Québécois ask this new government to regulate the retail price of gasoline. The Bloc Québécois should know that regulating the price of gas is a provincial responsibility. This new government will respect the areas of jurisdiction in Canada. That is what we promised, and that is what we are going to do. Unlike the Bloc Québécois, which is asking us not to abide by the Constitution, we intend to abide by our Constitution.

[Gasoline Prices, June 8th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as I said in this House last week, I am happy to see that the Competition Bureau has conducted six investigations in the past 15 years. Every time it investigated, it concluded that there was no collusion in setting prices.

Members should also note that in this House in 2003, the Standing Committee on Industry, Sciences and Technology investigated and issued a report that drew the same conclusion: there was no collusion in setting gas prices in Canada.

[National Defence, June 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, there will be economic benefits for Canadians if a contract is signed. That is my role and responsibility. I will assume my role with considerable pleasure, as usual.

[National Defence, June 6th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, as my hon. colleague has just said, there has been no agreement or transaction yet. So he is speculating on the future, before he knows what it is.

That said, as Minister of Industry, I am indeed responsible for the program of benefits for Canadians. Whatever commitment the government makes will be in keeping with our policy and ensure benefits for all Canadians.