Mr. Speaker, in recent days we have heard a great deal from certain Reform members of Parliament about ACOA's funding practices.
A recent contribution to Canadian Hybrid Farms in my riding of Annapolis Valley-Hants was singled out as an example of alleged wasteful government spending.
The decision to make a contribution to this firm demonstrates ACOA's commitment to assisting leading edge companies set up shop and succeed in Atlantic Canada. This company has focused its efforts in developing a new strain of genetically altered hamsters for use by the scientific community in researching heart disease in humans. Medical researchers from around the world rely on these hamsters in order to test the efficiency of cardiovascular drugs.
Through its diversity of programming ACOA has consistently shown itself to be a leader in promoting economic development in Atlantic Canada. Its contribution to this important project is one more example of its commitment.