Mr. Volpe:

Mr. Speaker, I wish I could be as kind as my colleague opposite with respect to the intervention made by the member of the third party.

I cannot because I am a little bit concerned that the member created the impression they had some major difficulties with a piece of legislation on which his party spoke but once at second reading, while we in the Official Opposition kept the debate going for as long as we could in order to get the maximum intervention by the textile industry. When we went into committee, on both occasions that we were there we did not have any representation by members of the third party. If there has been concern we would like to know exactly what it is.

Over the course of the last couple of years, as both the minister and the member from the third party have indicated, there has been an enormous loss of jobs because the industry has suffered an enormous downsizing. We have lost some of the major Canadian textile manufacturers.

That has been a problem for the Canadian industry as a whole. Because of that loss, in order for us to address issues that are now related more to the Canadian apparel industry, this kind of legislation, as incomplete as it would seem to be, at least addresses the component of that general industry that is still thriving, the apparel industry. If we can make its product more competitive, then we should support it.

I think it is important to understand that what we need to do is to ensure that-

The Acting Speaker (Mr. DeBlois):

I am sorry to interrupt. The hon. member for North Island-Powell River on a point of order.

Mr. Skelly (North Island -Powell River):

Mr. Speaker, 39 Liberals were missing on the NAFTA vote in here and the Liberals voted with the Conservatives to support the NAFTA bill. This is what is actually destroying the tech-

June 7, 1993

Government Orders

The Acting Speaker (Mr. DeBlois):

I merely want to point out that it is not appropriate to refer to the absence or presence of members in this House or in committee.

Mr. Volpe:

Mr. Speaker, you are perfectly right, as always. It is not my intention to refer to the absence or presence of members of any party in this House. It was important to mention in connection with today's debase, aside from any comments about where members happen to be, whether they are Conservatives, Liberals or New Democrats, that my party supports the general concept and underlying principles of this bill. However, there is a problem of which we keep reminding Canadians and that is the lack of an economic strategy addressing all the problems we face as Canadians today. I am referring to the lack of a strategy for creating jobs in industry and the lack of an industrial strategy that supports not just one but all sectors that provide Canadians with opportunities for decent, well-paying jobs, all in the national interest.

Mr. Whittaker:

Mr. Speaker, it always gives me a chuckle when I hear Liberals get up and expound on how they care about the economy and point out the failings of other people. We can certainly look to that party and see its failings every time it has been in government, from the massive inflation rates in the early 1980s to the major difficulties that Canadians had as a result of its policies. To listen to that member get up and expound on it and think that he has got the corner on concern for Canadians is really quite laughable.

We agree with this bill. There has to be some more efficiencies and effectiveness within those industries and it must be encouraged. However, one of the difficulties that we in this party have is the attitude of government that you have to amputate in order to move forward. We say that there is a much better way to deal with things, not the Liberal way and not the Conservative way, but the way of the people of Canada to ensure that the jobs are created. I was very pleased to find out from the minister that there are more exports being made and perhaps more jobs for the future.

The fact is that we have hurt the textile industry. We have created unemployment. That is of concern at this particular time to ensure that the people of Canada get out working so that we get off this treadmill of unemployment and welfare payments. This treadmill has led us into this deficit and debt position that is of concern to Canadians. If we have our people working then we have happy Canadians and a healthy economy.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. DeBlois):

Is the House ready for the question?

Question.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. DeBlois):

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Agreed.

On division.

Hon. Shirley Martin (for the Minister of Transport) moved

that the bill be concurred in.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. DeBlois):

Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Agreed.

On division.

Mrs. Martin (for the Minister of Transport) moved

that the bill be read the third time and passed.