Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to be back here and to rise on behalf of the residents of Brandon—Souris to present a petition regarding an announcement from the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food, which confirmed in April that it will be cutting six research positions at the Brandon agricultural research station.
This is a very important facility, not just for my constituency but also, indeed, for Canada's and North America's agricultural sectors. Much of the research that has been done at this facility has gone on to produce some of the most biosecure, resistant crops, which have dominated North America's agricultural industry and market. It is a shame that the government has decided to cut leading-edge research positions at this facility. The petitioners and my constituents are calling on the government to reverse its decision.