Taxation  Mr. Speaker, a year ago, Saskatchewan had the lowest unemployment rate in the entire country. What a big change we have seen in the last 365 days. Just last month, Cameco announced the layoffs of more than 500 workers at its Rabbit Lake mine, which affects, by the way, hundreds if not thousands of small businesses in our province.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague. This is a serious matter, and when constituents take the time to write to an MP, we know it is a very serious consideration. I would like to thank my colleague for reading out those letters, because those are the people we need to hear from.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Newmarket—Aurora made several references to the heritage budget that would increase by $1.9 billion in the next five years or so. We should remind members of the House that the CBC, a public institution, would get $675 million over this term, starting this year with $75 million.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the hon. member on his election in October. We, too, feel the pain of the energy sector, like he does in Newfoundland and Labrador, along with Saskatchewan and Alberta. However, as we all know, as he stands in the House today expecting a deficit budget provincially in Newfoundland, we, too, expected a deficit budget here on March 22.

Situation in Indigenous Communities  Mr. Speaker, we are all passionate about this, but unfortunately it has been brought up in the House that it has been 28 years. I would say we have been dealing with this issue for over a century. One of the things that surprised me when I came to the House was the issue of education on reserves.

Saskatoon Citizen of the Year  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise in the house today to honour Dr. Jay Kalra, who was named Citizen of the Year in Saskatoon. Last Friday at a luncheon I had the opportunity to speak about the accomplishments of Jay Kalra. He is an award-winning researcher and academic who gained international acclaim for his innovative work in pathology and health care delivery.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, as I said in my speech, we have waited decades for a children's hospital in our province. Our province has rallied around this facility. We have sent our sick children out of the province for far too long. The people in this community of Saskatchewan , 1.2 million people, have rallied around this facility to keep this charity local.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, it is Friday in the House and we will not be here next week, so I guess the hon. member from Manitoba needs a history lesson. We did give the Liberals a surplus of over a billion dollars. We are really excited for the new government because of this bill, because we know it is $30 billion.

Income Tax Act  Mr. Speaker, changes to the Income Tax Act as proposed by the new government are a major concern for entrepreneurs and professionals from coast to coast to coast. These are the people who drive our economy, the small business owners who have taken a chance in their life, and through their hard work are now being rewarded.

Canada Labour Code  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his presentation this afternoon. I think Canadians want a choice. They want the secret ballot. They also want to know that unions do not have a blank cheque. Canadians want to know where their unions dues are going. Where are they going?

Excise Tax Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-241, An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (school authorities). Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to introduce my first private member's bill in the House of Commons this afternoon. Canadians pay for their schools through municipal or provincial taxes.

Canada Labour Code  Mr. Speaker, I will refresh the memory of the member for Regina—Lewvan. Three times during the federal election we saw union members line up behind the leader of the Liberal Party for selfies. Many of them were paid—

Canada Labour Code  Mr. Speaker, I want to remind the hon. member for Regina—Lewvan that the House has been notified that, three times during the election, the Liberal Party had union members line up behind the Liberal leader; not once, not twice, but three times, all for $100, to get a selfie with the leader of the Liberal Party.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister continues to fly over Saskatchewan. Perhaps he should stop in and feel the pain this province is undergoing right now. Saskatchewan continues to contribute, even in these tough economic times. Saskatchewan businesses were in Ottawa this week, not looking for handouts but pleading with the current government to stop its job-killing tax schemes.

Business of the House  Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that the hon. member talks about shares. Members will remember that the Conservative government bought shares so that the working people could keep their jobs and the automobile industry could keep going. I know the hon. member realizes that everybody wants jobs.