Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague for his comments. I note that I too have a very great concern, as the Secretary of State for Children and Youth, and being an aboriginal woman, about the rate of consumption of tobacco products by different sectors of society.
In particular, it should be noted that Quebec has a 30% higher intake of tobacco products than the rest of the country. It is an extremely huge problem. Inuit women also have a very high rate of lung cancer and very high intake.
There is a pervasive influence on young people across the country.
In recent months it has been stated that Quebec has $500 million in a bank account in Ontario. Would it not be wise or at least appropriate for it to make use of that money for such purposes? Would that not make sense? I am sure that all Canadians watching us today would want to know how we could tolerate this situation, with that surplus or money not being used for these means.
I would like to hear the explanation the member would give, not to me but to Canadians on this issue.