Mr. Speaker, through the impetus given by the big American brewers, the United States are now trying to force the Canadian provinces to widely open their market to these brewers, despite the beer agreement that was signed by the two countries in August 1993. The Americans are questioning the imposition by the Quebec government of a minimum price on any beer sold in Quebec, when British Columbia and Ontario have already imposed such floor prices.
My question is for the Minister for International Trade. Could the minister tell us whether he supports the position taken by the Quebec government to impose a minimum price on beer sold on its territory with a view to reduce alcohol consumption by 20 per cent by the year 2000?