Mr. Speaker, I want to say that the member is absolutely right. In opposition we opposed Bill C-91. I not only opposed it in the House, I set up a display in my office on the Danforth pointing out the difficulties with Bill C-91.
We lost that vote, and the mechanism for Bill C-91 was put in place by the previous government. In many respects it is not unlike the GST. We campaigned vigorously against the GST and we lost in opposition, but the entire infrastructure and the mechanisms for the GST were put in place. When we were given the trust two years ago today, one of the things we had to face was the challenge of doing something about the GST. This bill is in many respects similar to that challenge.
The minister has said that we are currently evaluating the impact of Bill C-91. There is a parliamentary review process that will be invoked in 1997. The challenge presented by the drug patent policy is to ensure that it conforms with all the international trade obligations and supports the development of our pharmaceutical industry while making patented drugs available to Canadian consumers at non-excessive prices.
I want to reassure the member that we are not running away from our concern about what takes place with Bill C-91. He should know that not only the government but many members in the House share many of his views. We are very wise to the marketing in this industry. He will just have to be patient a little longer so that when we attack this issue we will do it in a rational and totally constructive way so that we will not upset the infrastructure that has been put in place and the investment that has already been started.