Madam Speaker, what I am going to mention will reinforce much of what we have heard this morning.
It is quite apparent there is widespread support for the motion of my hon. colleague from Kamloops, Thompson and Highland Valleys, and rightfully so.
It has been a pleasure to hear those comments. I do not think there is any doubt in anyone's mind that by encouraging people to use the public transit system we are going to benefit the environment and the health of many Canadians. There is no question that that feeling is out there.
It is a bit disconcerting that the only real argument against this is that we are not going to bring in enough revenue dollars. I find it hard to comprehend one against the other. Those are the types of issues that should not be an if/or. We know what the effects will be and we should respond to that.
It would be nice to see government departments working together for the overall benefit of Canadians. There is no question that there would be health savings. If anybody could come up with an argument that there would not be savings I would like to hear it. We have information to indicate that there could be savings of between $320 million and $427 million in health care costs in Ontario alone. If that is not reason enough to encourage people to stay on the public transit system, or to get on to it, I do not know what is.
Environmental benefits, especially in the area of greenhouse gas emissions, are further reason to give full support to this motion. It is an opportunity once and for all for this government to take a holistic approach to improving the environment, society and health. It is an opportunity for a government that has shown no vision of looking beyond and seeing all the benefits of a motion such as this. I thank my hon. colleague for presenting the motion.
I will take a moment to comment on the impression that was given by my hon. colleague from the Progressive Conservative Party. He said that he was surprised to see New Democrats suggesting a tax break and he thinks it would be great if we did this. I want to emphasize that New Democrats have always believed in investing in Canada and in Canadians. That has been the way since the beginning of the party. That is what we will continue to do. That is what we are doing with this motion.