Mr. Speaker, I rise to respond to the manner in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs chose to answer my question which I asked on behalf of the farmers and the softwood lumbers producers in my riding of Renfrew--Nipissing--Pembroke.
Canadian exporters rely upon an open border. Diplomatic relations with our closest and largest trading partner must be a number one priority.
The Canadian consulate in Washington is our most important diplomatic posting. The Minister of Foreign Affairs knows full well that the ambassador position in Washington has been used by this government as a patronage plumb in the same way that ambassador postings around the world are being used as dumping grounds for old Liberal Party hacks.
The minister also knows that the current posting to Washington has expired. The minister knows that John Manley was offered the spot--