Also, we believe that public-private partnerships are a huge waste of taxpayers' money and should be stopped.
We also recommend that the qualifying period for EI be reduced to a minimum of 360 hours, that the rate of benefits be raised to 60% based on the best 12 weeks of work, and that the two-week waiting period be eliminated. This would be accompanied by an increase in the minimum wage. Mr. Chairperson, we believe the federal government should take steps to ensure that there's an equal minimum wage in this country.
We also ask you to look at the way farmers have been neglected. It's heartbreaking to watch hard-working farmers struggle to avoid bankruptcy and witness them selling productive agricultural land for subdivisions in order to survive. What does this say about the neglect of agriculture, the neglect of farmers, and the need to keep our land for future generations?
Finally, Mr. Chairperson, we believe the war in Afghanistan is wasteful. We believe that Canada should pull out of combat, go back to its peacekeeping role, and save lots of money for development projects in Afghanistan and other parts of the developing world.
Thank you.