With the current deficit, we certainly want to make sure we collect the appropriate level of taxes. I think it's important to appreciate that the excise tax is applied at the manufacturers' level or at the point of importation into the country. We apply and receive the excise tax before that product flows to the liquor boards and so on. Then there is the further addition, as you can well imagine, of the HST and so on. But, in a way, the regime is designed to be market neutral inasmuch as it should not favour or disfavour importation over domestic, in the sense of respecting our trade and treaty obligations.
On May 2nd, 2013. See this statement in context.