Mr. Speaker, in recent months, the people of Abitibi—Témiscamingue and I find the price of gasoline too high in Abitibi compared with other regions of Quebec.
Except in a national emergency, the federal government does not have jurisdiction to directly regulate the price of gasoline.
The Canadian Constitution gives the provinces the authority to regulate prices. Only Prince Edward Island and Quebec have taken any action in this regard, although Newfoundland announced recently that it would look at the statute provisions that would permit it to regulate the price of gas.
Other provinces preferred to rely on market forces as the most effective means of determining the appropriate prices, while retaining the incentives that contribute to innovation and cost reduction.
The Government of Quebec has no choice: it will have to rely on the market forces and provide incentives for the people of Abitibi—Témiscamingue.
The time for study is past. It is time to get down to business, Mr. Bouchard.