Finance committee  It's to raise revenues. I think the government's stated objective, if I recall, is to help fund some of the other programs in general, but perhaps programs more aimed at the housing situation in Canada. Fundamentally, it's just a tax to raise revenues.

Finance committee  Yes, it would be. In fact, I might ask my colleague, Rob Ives, who is also on the line, to answer that question.

Finance committee  Mr. Chair, I can take that question, thank you. I will just point out, very simply, that this is a tax the purpose of which is to raise revenues. It's estimated that the tax will raise $735 million in revenues over the next five years.

Finance committee  In terms of the impact on any trade or other agreements we might have, those questions would have to be addressed to the appropriate sections of Justice Canada. I couldn't answer that.

Finance committee  Again, I'd reiterate my answer. Any questions about legality, trade or any other impacts of that nature—

Finance committee  To repeat my initial answer, it's a tax whose estimated revenue yield will be $735 million over the next five years.

Finance committee  Mr. Chair, I can't speak to that. I can only give you the estimate that we have in respect of this measure in Bill C-8; it's $735 million over the next five years.

Finance committee  I certainly did. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Mr. Fast. Pierre is correct. Indeed, the goal is twofold. It is to raise some revenue and to discourage smoking. Excess taxes are fairly effective at doing that. If you look at smoking rates in Canada, they've gone from abo

Finance committee  I'm on the computer, and the microphone is at mustache level.

Finance committee  I'm sorry. Would you like me to rewind a bit?

Finance committee  I'll start with the issue of the modelling. It would be very nice if we could say specifically that a dollar increase in tax leads— Is that no good?

Finance committee  I cannot do it justice.

Finance committee  Would it be possible to provide an answer in French as a follow-up to the committee?

Finance committee  There is no “Select a microphone” button. There is “Select camera”, but no microphone.

Finance committee  Perhaps I have it now.