Mr. Speaker, today is flag day and so it is appropriate to make the following statement on behalf of some of my constituents. During the winter break I held a series of farm meetings in my riding. At one of them I was presented with a worn Canadian flag and the following letter to the Minister of Canadian Heritage:
We are no longer proud Canadians and therefore are returning our Canadian flag. Yes, the fabric is quite tattered. Normally we replace our flag as soon as it begins to fray, but we kept it flying as a grim reminder of how tattered the social fabric of the farm economy is here in Saskatchewan. We beg you to take action to preserve the family farm.
Respectfully yours, Leonard and Yvonne Nakonechny and Family. Foxford, Saskatchewan.
The flag was presented to me on the understanding that I would present it to the minister. With her permission I will make the presentation to her in the lobby following question period.