Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I apologize to the witnesses. We're into this discussion today because we had a fire alarm last week at the last of the meeting. We apologize for that, but this is an important issue too.
On the amendment--and I find it questionable, but I accept your decision, Mr. Chair--the key part of this resolution is, in my view, consistent with the most recent proposal that is being submitted, which is the exit strategy that was agreed to by the tobacco industry and, from everything I've heard, committed to by the government, at least in internal meetings.
Larry, you can waffle and you can wiggle all you like, but the government broke its word, and I'll tell you that in the 2004 election, when Bob Speller made a commitment to a tobacco reduction strategy and lost the election, the following government, of which I was parliamentary secretary, kept its word and implemented that tobacco reduction strategy. What we have now is a situation in which Minister Finley, as an MP, made a commitment with the full authority of the current government, and they broke their word.
In terms of the task force, Joe, we wish you well with the task force, but that task force can still roll out. If you have the exit strategy that we're currently proposing, that task force can still work. What we're saying here is a commitment to the producers so they know where they stand.
It's the same thing, Mr. Chair, we ended up doing in the area of Quebec where they had a nematode problem; basically, a strategy was put in place to assist that community. What has happened in the tobacco industry is that there's no potential for this industry in this country any more. Their equipments, their facilities, their whole life's work has gone down the drain. Every investment they have made in equipment and buildings is now.... Where are they going to sell it and get any money?
Those people, first and foremost, need a commitment from the federal government. We believe they committed to that and broke their word.
That needs to occur. It can occur right now; it is a $400 million package, but it's 60-40, and it should just happen.
This amendment, in my view, jeopardizes what has been basically agreed to by the industry. It was a compromise on their part; they were first in here asking for, I believe, $1 billion. You can correct me if I'm wrong. They're now down to a federal government commitment of about 60% of the $400 million. I think that's within reason. I understand Ontario would be onside.
So I oppose the amendment so that we will revert back to the original motion and the government can get on and pay the money it committed.