Deputy Liberal Leader Ralph Goodale made the following statement regarding news reports about a decision on the takeover of PotashCorp:
« I am deeply troubled by reports that Stephen Harper and Tony Clement are poised to rubberstamp the hostile takeover of PotashCorp by BHP Billiton.
« Since I first began raising this issue in the House of Commons on September 23rd, we have witnessed a groundswell of opposition to this deal. The strongest opposition comes from none other than the Premier of Saskatchewan and the legislature, supported by several other Provinces, former Premiers and business icons – not to mention an estimated 80% of Saskatchewanians.
« An approval of this deal would represent an abdication of the government’s responsibility to provide strategic vision and leadership for Canada’s resource sector, and would signal a willingness to allow industry champions to become nothing more than branch plants. This is a deal like no other – at $40 billion it is the biggest takeover in Canadian history, and it impacts 53% of the world’s supply of a strategic commodity.
« This is a bad deal for Saskatchewan and a bad deal for Canada. The Province has said no, and the Conservatives would ignore that advice at their peril. »
