Mr. Speaker, as I stand before this House to deliver my maiden speech I want to say how honoured and proud I am to be part of this new Liberal government in this 35th Parliament.
I firmly believe our Minister of Finance has delivered a budget which lives up to our campaign promises in the red book. This budget will bring back a renewed sense of confidence and hope to the people we serve.
I come to this House as a farmer from a rural constituency on the prairies. My constituency is Dauphin-Swan River. I would like to take a few moments to tell hon. members in this House about it.
Mine is a rural constituency in the northwest region of Manitoba. It is very large geographically. The major industry is agriculture with all of the infrastructure and necessary support services that go along with that. In addition we have forestry, commercial fishing and tourism.
Within the boundaries of Dauphin-Swan River are two major parks, one federal and one provincial. Our agricultural base is well diversified. Our land base is one of the most fertile and productive in western Canada.
Even more diversified than our economy are our people who derive from a broad and diverse cultural and ethnic base, including 13 native reserves. It is this very diverse group of people who on October 25 placed their confidence in me to represent their interests in this place. I thank them for this marvellous opportunity to serve. I assure them I will do everything in my power to live up to their expectations.
Of course the good people of Dauphin-Swan River did not just vote for me. They also voted for a party and a leader who had a plan. It is a plan to create economic growth and put Canadians back to work, a plan to stabilize the agri-food industry with a national food security policy, a plan to establish a new partnership with aboriginal peoples, a plan to preserve and enhance our social safety net, a plan to lead Canadians into the 21st century with a renewed sense of confidence, optimism and hope.
That is what the people of Dauphin-Swan River voted for. They have a right to expect no less. That is what we will deliver.
There are a number of initiatives already undertaken by the government which I am sure the people of Dauphin-Swan River will view favourably. The cancellation of the helicopter deal was a campaign promise that was kept. The conclusion of the GATT negotiations will be a particularly encouraging sign to the farm families involved in the grains and red meat industries in Dauphin-Swan River and in western Canada. These industries require ready access to export markets and cannot help but be pleased at the prospect of an end to the international grain trade wars.
The hon. minister of agriculture should be complimented on his handling of the very sensitive final stages of the GATT negotiations.
The mayors, the reeves and their respective councils of the towns and rural municipalities in Dauphin-Swan River are anxiously awaiting responses to their applications on the infrastructure program so that they may use the jointly funded program to the advantage of their communities and of course to create jobs.
Let us now look at some of the additional provisions of the budget speech itself.
In addition to the infrastructure program there are a number of provisions which will be viewed favourably by the people of Dauphin-Swan River: the government's commitment to economic renewal and job creation through the establishment of a new internship and apprenticeship program and the establishment of a Canada youth service corps; the government's commitment to research and development, particularly agricultural research; the government's commitment to the development of an information highway which could be of great consequence to the future development of rural Canada; the government's commitment to establish a centre of excellence for women's health; the government's commitment to establish a national forum on health chaired by the Prime Minister; the government's commitment to a consultation process to replace the GST; the government's commitment to enhance the opportunities for small and medium sized businesses in the Canadian economy; the government's commitment to provide stability in transfer payments to the provinces.
All of these commitments are clearly reflected and are provided for in the budget. All of these provisions will be viewed positively by the people of Dauphin-Swan River. They will be seen as a constructive step forward in fulfilling our election promises.
Finally we have a government which will restore honesty and integrity and openness to our institutions of government.
Finally we have a government which is prepared to give the highest priority to job creation and economic growth.
Finally we have a government which is committed to strengthening the social fabric of Canada.
Finally we have a government which is committed to the sound management of our nation's financial affairs not to just talk about it, but to do it.