Mr. Speaker, like others in the room, I compliment all members who have as the base of their interventions the altruistic and sincere desire to ensure the health of all Canadians is safeguarded.
The member does a great discredit to the initiatives the government has taken over the last couple of years, specifically the question of the tobacco tax he referred to on a couple of occasions. That was not an isolated initiative. He pointed out this is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive approach. Much of what he addressed is already in place and not working.
Export controls and taxes were causing problems in many places in Canada and had to be addressed as well. He is conveniently putting to one side the fact that other initiatives were put forward by the government to specifically address consumption of tobacco products by young people. It is very easy to put them to one side and pretend they do not exist. The government initiatives are in place and they are working.
Finally, it is important as well to appreciate that in the context of some of those initiatives it was a supreme court decision that did away with some of the initiatives which were already in place.
If the member opposite is impatient because the appropriate legislation has yet to be presented before the House, it is only because the government wants to make sure the legislation, when it is presented, will withstand the challenges that will surely come forward from interested parties.
If he is as sincere as he has demonstrated in the House, he would encourage the Minister of Health and all his colleagues in cabinet to ensure the safeguards are in place and that all the checks and balances are looked at carefully so that we not repeat the scenario which we saw in the supreme court some eight months ago.
The member is correct to bring these issues forward in the House, but let him make an acknowledgement that Bill C-24 is a very important and good first step. He can bring his suggestions forward when the legislation goes to committee.