Let me start by saying thank you to those who believe that our Parliament can't function well. I think that was an example of functioning really well. Thank you to all committee members and to the chair.
I will stop using up time on thanks and turn to the executives who are with us.
My question to you is trying to reconcile recent earnings results. Loblaw, for example, in the fourth quarter brags about an earnings increase of almost 13% over the previous year. Time and again throughout the last hour and half, we've heard each executive say that their earnings are reasonable.
Can I have you each comment, yes or no, whether you would support an excess profit tax that has been called for by many, including Mr. Singh, here in the last hour, an excess profit tax above your regular profits that you are now bragging about having increased, specifically so that the Government of Canada could use that to reinvest in supporting the lowest-income Canadians who are suffering from the cost-of-living crisis that we're in?
Would you each comment on whether you support an excess profit tax that would raise $4.3 billion over the next five years?
Thank you.