Mr. Speaker, I know we must speak to the technicalities of the bill. We are talking about 40,000 deaths per year in Canada because of smoking. We have to do everything in our power to address that issue.
I make a point that goes back to a precedent and I do not think it has been mentioned today. Canadian practice provides a precedent based on British cases. This proves it is possible for a ways and means resolution should it be deemed required to be moved to the bill post-second reading. Mr. Speaker, that is an option you should consider because that would allow the bill to be on the floor of the House of Commons and debated for its merits. Obviously that has to be part of your consideration.
I hope your ruling is based on the arguments and precedents we are hearing today. If your ruling is based on anything other than that I think it would be grossly unfair to this House. I do not think you will do that, but I want to put that on the record.
Looking at both sides of the House, we want to have the opportunity to discuss those because I know from time to time in the past rulings have come down in the House where technicalities or arguments have been used which were not based on what we have heard on the floor of the House. I hope when the ruling does come down it is on the merits of some of the arguments you have heard today.
I hope at the end of the day consideration is given to the bill and that we will have the opportunity to debate it on the floor of the House of Commons.