Mr. Speaker, I want to make a few comments about the process taking place here today.
It makes it a bit awkward when we have an omnibus bill, one that contains something about airport taxes, tobacco taxes and other measures. It is difficult to support such a bill when it contains something to which you are completely opposed. You may support two of the three measures but have to vote against the bill because of something in it that is unacceptable. I have an objection to that kind of thing happening. The issues should be separated out so we can discuss them and vote on them separately.
There is a second thing I would like to comment on. My colleague may wish to respond even though he does not have to. We have the freedom to speak up in the House. We may not agree with even our colleagues within the same party but the government should encourage free discussion and debate.
Like my colleague said, we should identify the problem. We should determine our options. We should decide what would be a reasonable course of action to take and it should be debated. The legislation that flows from the discussion should reflect the feelings of every member in the House.
Very seldom do I hear people sitting on the backbenches of the government expressing an opinion that is contrary to the cabinet. That is a shame. It is unacceptable. In a free and democratic society, we should be allowed to express dissent. That is what should be happening. Debate should be taking place.
I wonder why more people do not speak up and express their concerns in regard to this. Surely members of the Reform Party are not the only ones who are concerned about health. There must be Liberals who also have those kinds of concerns.
My colleague has brought up some legitimate health concerns other than tobacco. They could be debated. It might be a related issue but we should be talking about it.
We need to have that kind of open discussion here. We have begun the process. We have allowed for it. It has happened on occasion but I would like to see more of it. If my hon. colleague would like to comment on any of that, I would welcome him to do so.