Let us go back over this again in case members were not paying attention. We have first a reduction in taxes on cigarettes, the single most disastrous act of sabotage to the health of the Canadian people. This party supports the immediate payment of tax rebates owing to retailers and distributors throughout Canada. Heaven forbid if something serious should happen in this country.
There are other elements of this that I want to bring to the attention of the House. There seems to be some confusion among opposition members on the air transportation tax. I want
to point out that the purpose of the new air transportation tax regime is to reduce the cost of short haul flights.
This was brought to our attention by a witness from the province of Quebec and also raised in the House during debate yesterday by members from Quebec. I want to reiterate that in most cases those flights will see a reduction in the cost of the air transportation tax because they qualify as short haul flights.
It is very important that there be flexibility of the government to respond to the needs of businessmen and local markets. The member opposite raised this and I agree with him 100 per cent. For small businesses the cost of these flights is very important. It slows down their business in the province. It slows down the business across western Canada. We have made efforts through this to reduce the cost of the airport tax on short haul flights and to increase it on long haul flights. We feel that brings a greater degree of fairness.
Mr. Speaker, I could go on for a while about other comments made in the House but I welcome the debate, as do you, and I urge all members to support Bill C-32 as soon as possible.