Mr. Speaker, it is fair to say that when members get up in the House and contribute to debate I, unlike the hon. member opposite, believe they are serious about what they are saying and what they would like to see happen. I understand that emotions sometimes run high with my Bloc friends across the way. However we all have microbreweries in various parts of the country.
To suggest the government would sit idly by or is already sitting idly by and encouraging the demise of the microbrewery sector is incorrect. When the committee heard from brewers about their concerns it was acknowledged that the report was presented and there were issues the finance department was analyzing.
It is fair to say we want to ensure we have a vibrant microbrewery sector in Canada. However it is difficult to amend something that is not there. How do we amend a piece of legislation when the component that requires amending is not in it? We are talking about a tax measure. This is an administrative bill. While I welcome the enthusiasm across the way it should be directed toward a bill which could achieve the objective being proposed: to ensure microbreweries are competitive and that we do not continue to see the demise described by my hon. colleague. That objective will be best served when we have full information and analysis. The information is now in and I am awaiting it.
This is an important issue for parliamentarians. Parliament will not wait forever. The information has been submitted. It will be incumbent on the people in the finance department to look at the information, see how the initiatives would impact brewers and decide how best to address their concerns.
I dispute the criticism that the government is not concerned and is not doing anything. This is an administrative process that started in 1997. What is being asked for is an amendment to the Excise Tax Act. In terms of the tax there is a body of information that requires analysis and understanding. An exchange will take place. I am confident that in moving forward we will see a resolution of the concerns the hon. member has outlined.