An Act to amend the Cities and Towns Act and the Municipal Code of Québec concerning loans contracted by municipalities

Furthermore, the reports by the deputy and senator who acted as rapporteurs on the draft law before the National Assembly and the Senate respectively had stressed the positive effect of restructuring EDF's balance sheet on the debt-equity ratios: the first report had judged the equity (FRF 24,2 billion) to be insufficient in relation to the loan debts (FRF 131,9 billion) and the net assets (FRF 696,4 million); the strengthening of own funds had given EDF a balance-sheet structure that better reflected its economic reality, while enabling more relevant comparisons with its European competitors; the second report, moreover, had stressed ...[+++]the positive effect for EDF of greater credibility among the financial community and with its potential partners.

Today I introduced legislation with respect to accountability with respect to loans, which will complete the work of eliminating the undue influence of big money in politics.

I recognize that the main financial accomplishments of Bill C-19 are the establishment of practical systems of taxation and capital borrowing; however, I've examined the bill from a more general perspective.

The steps advocated by the Forum Group, which comprised industry and consumer representatives, cover many areas including consumer protection, client credit assessment, mortgage brokers, registration systems, which law should apply in cross-border contracts, and the financing of mortgages through capital markets.