Agri-Trade Exposition  Mr. Speaker, I am excited to announce the 28th annual Agri-Trade Exposition that will take place in my riding November 9 to 12. The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, the Westerner Exposition Association and the driving force behind the expo, Pat Kennedy, are all to be thanked for this year's upcoming success.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Kildonan—St. Paul for all the efforts she has made over the years to protect the young and the vulnerable both here and abroad. Could she expand on why it is so important that we look at Canada's trafficking in persons offences from an extraterritorial perspective?

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I am thankful that the member for Guelph has asked me that question, because he is talking to a farmer from western Canada who has a family farm that has been there since 1903. There were types of things we were forced to do when we were told that we would not be able to market the wheat and barley that we produced.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for that question as well as for all the work he has done to help give marketing freedom for farmers. I can think back to the different operations involved on our farm. I started farming 40 years ago, so I have been filling out a Canadian Wheat Board permit for the last 40 years and I know the types of things that have happened and the concerns we have in central Alberta.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, before question period we were talking about issues that were going to have to take place during transition. The first was on the Canadian Wheat Board's access. The second was on producer cars. I had just indicated the third where these changes would not change the Canadian Grain Commission's role in assuring the world-renowned quality of Canada's grain.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to stand in support of this important and timely legislation for western Canadian grain farmers. I would also like to thank the member for Prince George—Peace River for sharing his time with me today. Our government has always promised western Canadian wheat and barley growers that they would be given market freedom.

Canadian Wheat Board  Mr. Speaker, earlier today the Minister of Agriculture introduced a historic bill in this House. The marketing freedom for grain farmers act would fundamentally transform agriculture on the Prairies by giving farmers the freedom to market their grain when and where they choose, and to what buyer they choose.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, with respect to the NDP motion, I would like to address four particular points. With respect to part (a), the government has already taken action to promote job creation through the next phase of Canada's economic action plan. We will take another step to implement it shortly with the next budget bill.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to present a petition signed by 820 people in my riding of Red Deer, Alberta. The petitioners urge the federal government to honour its commitment to the UN protocol by providing adequate funding to set up safe housing for the victims of human trafficking.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, Canada's economic position remains one of the world's best. However, the economic recovery is uncertain and remains fragile, and too many Canadians remain out of work. Instead of supporting Canadian jobs and growth, the NDP finance critic chooses to fearmonger about a hypothetical recession as if the NDP is cheering for Canada to fail.

Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a couple of comments. As I had mentioned earlier, I was a union political liaison person with the ATA in the province of Alberta, so I do understand a lot of the different things that go on between negotiating parties. I would like to read something I have just received.

Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act  Mr. Speaker, I too have been involved with a union for a number of years. I was a school teacher for 34 years. I was also involved with a political liaison between the Alberta Teachers' Association and the Government of Alberta. There are a lot of things that can happen when one gets people together and one gets them to work.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, the broadband industry has been going through a lot of changes. I think we are looking forward to a lot more in the communities in the future. I was with the northern development committee last year and we had the opportunity to meet with many different groups and organizations in the territories.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, that is one component of the budget, which is a very significant part, but there are many other things that we are doing. As I mentioned in my speech, when I talked to seniors, they looked at the fact that we had made that commitment. They were also concerned about the fact that it would have been passed already if there had not been an election at that point in time.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, allowing small businesses to grow and prosper will help the economic recovery that the government has strategically and successfully led Canada through this far. In my riding of Red Deer, entrepreneurs know the value of time, especially time that is wasted. The red tape that slows down businesses, slows down our economy.