Mr. Speaker, with your permission I would like to make a brief response to the comments by the hon. member.
We should remind ourselves that this problem did not begin in the three months or so that this government has been in office. We are talking about a problem that built up for years without this kind of needed action by the previous Conservative government.
This government, along with its famous red book of plans for creating jobs and developing the economy, also has had to deal with problems that are surfacing that built up under the previous government. We should remember this in recognizing that this government has been willing to take action to deal with immediate needs and concerns like the smuggling problem.
Furthermore, we want to make sure that we do this in a balanced way. I am glad that the hon. member has pointed out for society the dangers of this problem we are dealing with. That is why our program has all these components. Yes, it has a tougher enforcement component. Yes, it has a taxation component but it also has a very important health related and anti-smoking component.
I look forward to the comments of the Minister of Health later in the debate to build on what this is all about. I also look forward to the committee study where we can provide further detailed information.