Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the parliamentary secretary for her speech.
The NDP and I recognize that cigarettes and contraband cigarettes are a scourge. We have seen some disturbing statistics on the rise in this type of trafficking.
However, the Excise Act, 2001, and the Criminal Code already cover all these offences. Bill S-16 seems to be redundant.
I would like to know why the government decided to introduce Bill S-16 instead of reviewing and enforcing the comprehensive laws that are in effect, such as the Excise Act, 2001, and the Criminal Code. What is the motivation behind Bill S-16?