Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Whatever it costs. In the United States several state governments went together and started a lawsuit and if I remember correctly, I think they received a couple of billion dollars in an out-of-court settlement with the tobacco companies and I suspect that a similar thing might happen here. Considering the amount of dollars that we have to spend dealing with ailments caused by smoking, we know that we probably have the highest rate of smokers in Canada and this causes harm particularly to young children. They have hearing infections. Smoke inhalation causes damage to their lungs while they are still developing, and it causes a lot of long term effects. We also know that children start smoking at a very early age in the Northwest Territories. You can walk down the street any day and see a little kid smoking. The committee feels that it is time that the tobacco companies stood up and became responsible for the damage that they are causing to children and adults alike. Mr. Chairman, in response to the question, whatever resources it takes is what they should put into this endeavour. Thank you.
Roy Erasmus on Committee Motion 20-13(7): Support For The Bc Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies (h&ss)
In the Legislative Assembly on April 28th, 1999. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 20-13(7): Support For The Bc Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies (h&ss)
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
April 27th, 1999
Page 419
Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North
See context to find out what was said next.