Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I would like to thank the three witnesses for being here this morning to help us as we consider Bill C-10.
I appreciate that all three of you support this bill. In fact, I would be surprised if you didn't. I am convinced that Bill C-10 is not an end in itself for you and your organizations.
It's not an end to the problem of combatting tobacco use because it's more the name of the game of your associations, I'm pretty sure.
The headline this morning on my local newspaper, Le Droit, read “Illegal Cigarette Butts by the Ton”. The Canadian Convenience Stores Association commissioned a study, and tons of cigarette butts were collected at the Rideau Carleton Raceway. They found that 46.6% were from contraband cigarettes. That shows us just how much of a concern it is.
We have heard from a number of witnesses, and I still don't know how we can solve this problem, strictly from the perspective of contraband. Some people say that if we raise taxes, there would automatically be more contraband. Should we lower taxes to ensure that there is no contraband? But then cigarette use would increase.
Mr. Cunningham, I am pleased that you made other suggestions to indicate that Bill C-10 is not an end in itself. Some witnesses told us that there was less contraband. I would like to hear what you have to say about that. This aspect is important and needs to be studied. When we analyze the methods that the current and previous governments have used, it would help us determine whether Bill C-10 is fine in itself.
My question is for all three of you. Do you agree that there is less contraband, or do you think there is more? Please give us your thoughts.
I'll start with Monsieur Damphousse.