44th Parl. 1st Sess.
February 3, 2023 10:00AM
Madam Speaker, the minister spoke about the importance of innovation. While my question is not directly about the bill, it is related and I hope it is allowed.
One area where we need innovation is in telecommunications. The prices are going up for people in my community and across the country because of reduced competition. The minister will soon be making a decision about a proposed merger between Rogers and Shaw. We both know this merger is not innovative. Innovation would be giving consideration to what the Province of Saskatchewan has already done, building a national, publicly owned telecommunications network.
Will the minister give this idea consideration in lieu of allowing even less competition in the telecommunications industry?
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Madam Speaker, my colleague and I work very well together. I am happy to talk about telecoms this morning. I think the member and Canadians watching at home know that the principle I have applied since I became Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry is to make sure that we reduce prices for Canadians. The way to do that in Canada is to have more competition and at the same time to have innovation. We want a fourth national player because we have found that in our market this is the best way to make sure we bring prices down for Canadians.
Going back to Bill C-34, I hope the member supports it, because what the bill is asking for is to get to the modern economy. A colleague like him who understands so much about innovation will understand that a lot of it is about intangible assets. This law would give better tools, not only for me but for future ministers who will have to protect Canada's national security.
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- Feb/3/23 11:36:40 a.m.
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The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
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- Feb/3/23 11:47:49 a.m.
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Madam Speaker, we know Canada has the great potential and talent to be a leader in new technology and innovation. Can the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry update this House on what our government is doing to improve Canada's competitiveness as an innovative nation?
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Madam Speaker, my colleague has been terrific on the committee so far.
This is something that we missed in the previous review, and it is appropriate for us to deal with this. I have referenced private equity firms, but there could be billionaires or others that are tinkering with different things. We could look at individual assets or innovation that is new.
I am looking forward to that, and I think the amendments are appropriate. It is refreshing, because we did not look at that in the previous report. That is why an annual review for thresholds is important, because this is an ongoing thing, especially with how things move so quickly right now.
I am looking forward to the member's contribution, and I thank him for adding that. Again, that is a new lens that we did not deal with in the past.
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Madam Speaker, the money that we have spent publicly for national research chairs, which is an investment in our education system, is another good example that we did not get into. We have a poor record of actually moving that type of research and innovation to market, so that is a separate story. This could be a good record, and I am looking forward to looking at this more. National security is very much an open field with regard to how that is being interpreted, so we will see what definition the minister has. However, I think I have a much more open perspective on that, as I noted in my speech. Consumer issues should also be looked at; I view these issues through a national security lens as well.
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