Thank you, Mr. Speaker and honourable Members. It is also very clear that many of the brands that have gone up in price are the ones that had been favoured by low-income individuals, who just cannot afford and who don't want to spend their money on French champagne or products like Drambuie, which also went from $44.20 a bottle to $31.85.

It seems to my constituents that this new pricing is catering to the tastes of the elite and people who can afford it. Once again, the poor people, who are too often of aboriginal descent, are taking the inflated brunt of the price change. There is no doubt that everyone realizes this government has to generate more revenue to deal with its current financial crisis. Everyone knows that the sale of liquor is one way that can be accomplished. However, it is very unfair that these revenue-generating initiatives always have to be carried on the backs of the lower-income people in the north.

Mr. Speaker, there is another reason why I feel this ill-considered price policy should be evaluated. Most Members are aware that there is a considerable problem in many of our communities with chronic alcohol abuse, particularly of the "street people." Many of the products that this group tends to purchase, like Calona and Private Stock, have been priced quite high. I think so high that it encourages them to consider purchasing more dangerous products that contain alcohol.