Why will the minister not allow Canadians concerned about this deal to be heard?
Hon. Christian Paradis (Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), CPC): Mr. Speaker, Canada's investment review process is sound and ensures that foreign investment is a net benefit to Canada.
Our government has a clear track record of encouraging economic growth, job
creation and prosperity in Canada. I will take the time required to carefully
examine the proposed acquisition.
We will not take lessons from the NDP whose reckless economic policy will deter
investment, kill jobs and hurt Canadian families.
Context : Question #3
Mr. Peter Julian (Burnaby—New Westminster, NDP): Mr. Speaker, instead of taking all this energy just to make stuff up, the government should invest energy in listening to Canadians. That is what it should be doing.
Now the minister is refusing public consultations. He refuses to say how it will define a net benefit to Canada. He will not address CNOOC's human rights record or the history of oil spills and environmental devastation. This type of takeover
needs more than this kind of shoddy backroom treatment.
Other than company lobbyists, who is the minister talking to? Why will the government not take advice from Canadians? Why will it not consult with Canadians?
Hon. Christian Paradis (Minister of Industry and Minister of State (Agriculture), CPC): Mr. Speaker, we all know that the NDP policy is to get away from trade tables. It wants to send certain types of industries out of business. We will not do it.
We will make sure that each transaction that is proposed here in Canada will provide a net benefit for this country. Each single transaction will be scrutinized very closely.
However, we will not go down this path proposed by the NDP which would kill jobs and hurt Canadian families.