PETROLEUM PRODUCTS PRICE FREEZE ACT, 2004

Mr Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I'm pleased to rise and speak in support of the bill before us, Bill 48, An Act to provide for an interim freeze -- I think it's important to recognize that it is an interim freeze -- in the price of certain petroleum products. I commend the member from Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford for introducing this bill. From all the information I've had, the member has been actively and very strenuously working on this issue for some time, from the time that he was appointed as a member of what was commonly known as the gas-buster committee. He has been actively involved in this situation and worked very hard on it.

I do believe that, as the member across the way and the member from Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford pointed out, this really is a difficult situation to step in and freeze the price of petroleum products when generally the situation revolves around the federal government and their rights and responsibilities.

I do want to take exception, though, with the comment that it can't be done under NAFTA. Under NAFTA, you can't give preferential treatment for domestic suppliers. I don't see anything in the bill that deals with domestic suppliers. The results of this bill would in fact treat imported products exactly the same way that it treats our own domestic products. So I think it may be a little far-fetched to have that comment.