Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise on behalf of the residents of Simcoe—Grey and, in fact, those all across the country.
The Department of National Defence purchased 700 acres off one farmer to build the over-the-horizon radar system. The people in the riding are not opposed to our military. In fact, they support the men and women. Base Borden is in my riding. However, they have concerns. This is prime farmland. In order to move to stage two, the department needs 2,600 more acres, which it will need to purchase off landowners who presently have no interest in selling. The petitioners have some deep concerns. It also follows along the Minesing swamp, so there are a lot of environmental issues on this particular land.
The residents are calling upon the Government of Canada to stop the building of any over-the-horizon sites on the already purchased property, prevent future acquisitions of prime farmland and the building of any over-the-horizon sites on the prime farmland of Clearview Township, and register the previously purchased property with the Ontario Farmland Trust.
We hear all the time in the House about the importance of food security. We understand national security. We just believe there are other sites available.