Thank you, Chair.
Before I get started, I just want to put a motion on notice, if you could pause my time, please.
As the committee knows, more tax hikes are coming on April 1. I think it's really important for us in this committee to make sure that we stop them as soon as we can, especially the escalator tax, which is supposed to go up on April 1. As we know, business costs are skyrocketing, with 40-year highs in inflation, and insolvencies and bankruptcies are on the rise.
Therefore, the Conservatives would like to put the following motion on notice:
Given that:
a. Taxes on beer, wine and liquor will automatically increase on April 1, 2024;
b. This year's tax increase will be 4.7%—the amount equivalent to average inflation over the past year; and
c. Canadians and businesses cannot afford another tax increase;
The committee report to the House that it calls on the government to cancel its April 1, 2024, tax increase on beer, wine and liquor.
I'd just like to put that on notice, please. Thank you.