Mr. Speaker, it is important for all Canadians to understand the motion. We refer to it has a hoist motion, meaning that the member who put this motion forward would like Bill C-70, an act to amend the Excise Tax Act, to be now read a second time this day six months hence. Essentially it would delay the whole issue.
Taxation and excise taxes are things which are very well known in my riding of Haldimand-Norfolk. There are a number of farmers and other people in my riding who contribute to the tax system. Specifically, there are a number of tobacco farmers in my riding. Taxes like the GST and the Excise Tax Act the Minister of Finance has now put on tobacco products affect the people in my riding. I want to talk a little bit about how this happens.
A study was done in my area, called the "Economic Contribution of the Tobacco Industry in the Tobacco Growing Region of Ontario" by Deloitte & Touche. Essentially it was found that in terms of taxation the tobacco industry in the area studied provides $453 million in income and 70 per cent of that money stays within
the area and of the 9,423 full time equivalent jobs, 76 per cent of those stay within the study area.
The study comprised an area in my riding in southwestern Ontario. It dealt with the economic contributions of the tobacco industry in that area. It also dealt with the taxation question we are dealing with today. This is an important study. I want to ensure that all Canadians know the importance of this industry in a small concentrated area in rural southwestern Ontario.
My area is also home to the largest native reserve in the country. The whole question of how natives are taxed is always on the lips of Canadians. It is important to know the impact of taxation on the smuggling industry and how smuggling has been cut back as a result of the fact that our government lowered the excise tax on tobacco products some two years ago.
It was interesting to hear some of the comments in the earlier debate. Some comments of Reform Party members cut off debate on that very important issue. I know we are not talking about that debate now, but it is important to note that the Reform Party did cut off debate on that issue.
The issue we are dealing with now is the six month hoist on Bill C-70 which is a GST matter. Those three letters concern a number of Canadians, as does the whole question of excise taxes and taxes specifically in my area on tobacco products. One hundred and fifty-seven million dollars in tax revenues, including GST, come into-