Mr. Speaker, it seems fitting as we celebrated Valentine's Day this past weekend that we also remember it is heart health month and, as luck would have it, National Potato Lover's Month. We should not forget the importance of the humble potato in our diet, and the significant levels of potassium in potatoes that are critical for our body and crucial for heart function.
Just this last week, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research stations in Fredericton and Lethbridge conducted their new variety release day. The research at these two locations is important as we develop new varieties that are not only resistant to pests, but also attempt to make the potato even healthier.
Canada has a great number of great agriculture producers and growing regions in the country, including a large area of my riding of Tobique—Mactaquac. We also have processors like McCain Foods, which produces one of every three french fries sold around the globe.
Everyone is working hard to produce high quality food for Canadians in addition to healthy choices for our diets. I want to thank all our researchers, our farmers and farm families and processors like McCain that continue their efforts to have a dynamic value chain for potatoes in Canada.
While we may not be able to give our hearts to the humble potato, it sure can give a lot to our hearts.