Finance committee  In terms of difficulty, there should be a net benefit to SAQ, because these purchases are incremental to the sales already made by SAQ to restaurants and duty-free operators. As a duty-free operator I can only purchase my liquor from the state monopoly. The reality is that the volume of sales should increase for SAQ or LCBO because these are net new sales; these are not cannibalizing domestic sales.

Finance committee  Let's get some of the numbers--what they mean. When I say it's no cost, it's actually probably revenue-positive to the nation. We figure we're talking around 400 new jobs across Canada to repatriate and grow our sales; $13 million in wages—these are immediate impacts—and $4 million in federal taxes annually; enhancing our international competitiveness, because certainly in our arena it's coming down; supporting Canada's gateway policy; probably increased customer satisfaction; some environmental benefits on loads that go onto aircraft that leave a trail.

Finance committee  Let me briefly wrap up. In conclusion, I think our ask here is that we are in the red zone; we want to punch it over. That's our conclusion. Cynics would say that government can't effect change. I disagree with that completely. I note the H1N1 readiness. Also, the last time I was here, this room was completely different, so clearly change can happen.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members, for the opportunity this morning. I am Richard Rendeck, CEO of the Nuance Group. I'm here with Myron Keehn today, the director of concessions and development at Edmonton International Airport. We're here today representing a coalition of international airports in our country and duty free operators with respect to advocating an arrivals duty free program consistent with over 50 countries throughout the world.