Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in committee of the whole, the committee approved amendments to Bill 6, An Act to Amend the Petroleum Products Tax Act. The Petroleum Products Tax Act sets the rates by which the tax on various petroleum products are calculated. The only issues concerning some of my constituents when it comes to purchasing gasoline products is that of the road tax imposed on the price of a litre of gasoline. This government currently has a two-tiered tax system based on where the fuel is delivered. There is a zone A or on-road tax, and a zone B, an off-road tax. I believe zone A taxes are 10 cents a litre and zone B taxes are six cents per litre.

Mr. Speaker, my concern is that there are many hunters, trappers, fishermen and other people who spend a lot of time out on the land. Most of these people purchase gasoline for their outboard motors, skidoos and four-wheelers from in-town gas stations and suppliers. They have to pay the 10 cents extra tax on this product. However, the majority of their travel and use are off-road, in the bush or on the tundra. They use the gas for subsistence gathering or to supplement their traditional lifestyles.

Mr. Speaker, I don't think that this is fair. I know in agricultural country, farmers get breaks on their gasoline taxes and are able to use something called "purple gas." I am not sure if the east coast or west coast fishermen also get breaks on their gas, but in the north we should definitely look at changing our taxation levies on our gasoline products to support our hunters, trappers, fishermen and people following traditional pursuits.

I strongly urge the Minister of Finance to review these on-road and off-road taxes and maybe even consider dying the colour of our gasoline to assist our northerners in maintaining healthy lifestyles through the purchase of cheaper gas. Mahsi.

---Applause