Mr. Speaker, I wish to present today a petition signed by a group of constituents in my riding of La Prairie and the city of Laval. They are opposed to an increase in the federal excise tax on gasoline, for the following reasons:
"In view of the fact that the availability of sources of affordable fuel is a natural advantage to Canadians in reducing the high cost of shipping between source and market;
In view of the fact that Canadians are paying approximately 52 per cent of the cost of a litre of gasoline in the form of government taxes;
In view of the fact that there was a tax increase of 1.5 litres in the last budget;
In view of the fact that a parliamentary committee has recommended an additional excise tax increase in the next federal budget; and
In view of the fact that over the past 10 years the excise tax on gasoline has rise by 556 per cent" as the member for Saint-Hubert has pointed out;
The petitioners therefore request that Parliament not increase the federal excise tax on gasoline in the next federal budget.