Thank you, Mr. Chair.
So we are at this time discussing the Excise Tax Act. We mentioned the GST. It is somewhat different from excise taxes, as I was saying earlier. This amendment intends to broaden the definition or to ensure that prescription cannabis will not be subject to the GST or other sales taxes in Canada.
What was particularly denounced by the groups that came to testify before the committee was the fact that sales taxes currently apply to cannabis. Although the bill is attempting to solve that issue, it repeats the definition that is found in the Excise Tax Act, 2001, which is too restrictive, according to witnesses, and to me as well.
According to the wording of the bill, the only type of cannabis that will be exempted from the GST and other sales taxes will be prescription cannabis, that is to say cannabis for which a drug identification number has been obtained. Medication is not taxed in Canada, of course. However, some people who are currently using cannabis for medical purposes would see sales taxes added to the cost of the product. If we adopt the bill in its current form, the cost of medical cannabis would be higher than it is now.
That is why I am submitting this amendment to clause 95 of the bill at line 13 on page 78. I hope my colleagues will support me.