Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to acknowledge the fact that you have again been appointed Deputy Speaker. You have won the respect of everyone in the House in the past and I am sure you will going forward.
I did note in the member's speech that there was scarcely a mention of trade and how much trade contributes to Canada's prosperity. However, what we have seen under the current Liberal government over the last four years effectively is a dismantlement of Canada's trade agenda.
Originally, the Prime Minister appointed a minister of international trade. Then he changed that to a minister of trade diversification. The most recent minister appointed is the minister of small business. Basically, trade was appended as an adjunct, sort of an afterthought to the appointment of that minister.
Quite frankly, I despair, because we have seen a complete decline in the agenda that Canada has moving forward to use trade as a driver of prosperity in our country. Beyond the renegotiation of NAFTA, we have seen virtually nothing from the Liberal government.
I would ask the member to comment on why it is that the responsibilities attributed to the various ministers over the last four years have declined in importance.