Finance committee  In Niagara, it's up to $50,000 an acre. It does have an impact, obviously.

Finance committee  Have they told us that they're going to do it? No, not at this point, but all the indications are that European and U.S. wineries particularly will be challenging us on this issue. It hits them two ways. It hits them both on the excise, because they've lost the tariff; and it also benefits us because their prices will increase whereas the domestic VQA wines, which are a much smaller market, won't.

Finance committee  I think I can probably speak for everyone. I don't think anybody was consulted.

Finance committee  Thank you very much for the question. As you know, it is a huge economic driver in our province. You mentioned Niagara-on-the-Lake, near Niagara Falls, which is where I am from. The number one tourist attraction now in Niagara-on-the-Lake or Niagara Falls is no longer one of the natural wonders of the world, but the wine industry that people are touring.

Finance committee  No, for both.

Finance committee  Absolutely.

Finance committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair and MPs. I am grateful for the opportunity to appear here today and present the Canadian wine industry's perspective on Bill C-44, the budget implementation act. My name is Murray Souter. I sit on the board of directors of the Canadian Vintners Association.