Mr. Speaker, how appropriate. I went to California during the summer break and I was able to see, as the Liberal member pointed out, how terrible the smog situation is in that state, whose population is as large as the whole population of Canada.
What we are saying is that, to the best of our knowledge, there is no scientific evidence to back up what is implied in this bill, which is that MMT will in fact damage the pollution control system. If indeed California has made its choices a long time ago, it must have relied on some kind of test, and not only on vague ideas. If we could have access to these tests, we would readily admit that we have to ban the use of MMT in gasoline. Passing this bill is not a matter of principle, but a matter of pollution.
If the use of MMT is banned, I know some people believe that it will be replaced by ethanol, but the oil companies have clearly stated that they would not use ethanol as a substitute for MMT. Instead of using MMT, they would require a more enhanced and a longer refining process.
This would automatically lead to an increase in pollution. We are faced with two options: if we ban the use of MMT, we increase pollution due to the gasoline refining process, but, according to the auto industry, if we do not ban the use of MMT, we will damage the pollution control equipment, which will also lead to an increase in pollution.
If we could have some concrete evidence, we would be in a better position to make up our minds and vote immediately on this issue. But we do not have any, we have no scientific data, which is why we stand by the position we have taken.