Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my astonishment at the persisting inaction of the government with regard to cigarette smuggling. Obviously the adverse effects of this situation are serious.
First of all, the government is losing hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes.
Second, Canadians feel more and more that a segment of the population is above the law. Respect for public authority is being threatened.
Third, tobacco smoking is not being curtailed since smokers can easily get cigarettes at a lower price than if they were reasonably taxed.
Fourth, business people are getting outraged by this. In fact, we are facing a tax revolt.
The demonstration planned for next Monday by the MATRAQUE movement in Saint-Eustache in my riding could be repeated if Ottawa does not take any action.
The premier of Quebec has already made it clear that he intended to lower taxes on cigarettes and asked the federal government and the government of Ontario to do the same. Ontario has indicated an openness to that proposal.
Reduction of taxes on cigarettes is the most effective way of rapidly eliminating this problem.