Mr. Speaker, today I would like to commend the many beef cattle farmers and ranchers in every province of Canada.
I commend them for supplying a safe, healthy, nutritious, convenient product at a very affordable price.
I commend them for the large positive impact they have on the Canadian economy. Over 54% of Canadian beef production is exported to countries around the world, earning cash to be used to create a better Canada.
I commend them for the thousands of direct and indirect jobs they create for Canadians in rural and urban areas.
I commend them for their excellent stewardship of the land they use. Cattle ranchers were saving endangered species through habitat preservation and improvement long before it became the in thing to do.
I commend the men, women and children who operate as a family unit in one of the most healthy, wonderful lifestyles known to mankind.
Mr. Speaker, I would simply ask you and millions of other Canadians at your next beef barbeque to stop for a moment and give thanks to these farmers and ranchers. They truly are real Canadians.