Harold Albrecht

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, earlier I asked my colleague to comment on the opportunities that would be created through food processing and he commented on food processing in terms of the packaging of fruit that originates in his riding. I would like him to expand a bit on that. That is a fantastic idea and I do not think he had enough time to elaborate on that in his speech. I want to give him a few minutes to tell us a little more about that great technology.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is very aware of the area I represent. In fact, he has visited many times and I have welcomed him to come back and visit. He knows my area is richly blessed with primary agriculture and also food processing. I am sure his riding has some agriculture as well.

However, I am concerned that we do not simply throw this trade agreement out. It would have a major impact on our rural communities in terms of allowing them to export agricultural products. We know that beef, pork and much of these processed foods are finding a great market overseas.

I would ask my colleague—and I want to give him lots of time to answer this question—if he would make a list for us of the free trade agreements his party has supported over the last 20 years, and I will take the time to take notes.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest not only to my colleague's speech but to his responses. It is really obvious that he has a great command of this file.

I represent a riding that has both urban and rural components. We have all kinds of primary agriculture. Some of the most productive farmers in Canada are in the Waterloo region. In addition to that, we have all kinds of food processing in the Waterloo region, companies like Schneiders, Piller's and Conestoga Meat Packers. We also have Conestoga College, which is doing great work in implementing a food processing technology course for students.

We often miss the fact that not only are we going to be exporting agricultural products but value-added products as well through the food manufacturing and food processing industries. I am wondering if my colleague could comment on the importance of that, not only for big cities in terms of food processing but for rural communities that are facing some pretty significant challenges economically.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 6th, 2012]

The past 20 years.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I listened with interest to my colleague, who implied that a free trade agreement can somehow be unilaterally amended in Parliament once all of the negotiations have occurred. More troubling than that was her comment that her party supports free trade.

I want to give her a lot of time to answer this question. I would like her to list all of the free trade agreements in the past 20 years that the NDP has supported.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his great intervention on promoting trade around the world.

I come from a riding with a lot of agricultural sectors. We have beef production, pork production, poultry production and horticulture. In my riding we have Conestoga College, which just recently instituted a food processing centre. We have all kinds of food processing in our riding, including Piller's Meats, Schneider Foods and Conestoga Meat Packers. There are all kinds of opportunities for increased exports.

I am wondering if my colleague could comment on the importance not only to the primary producers of our grain and oil seeds, poultry, pork and beef, but also in terms of our food processing technology, which is certainly envied around the world. We could certainly benefit the producers and processors as well.

[Canada-Panama Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, November 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, I am also troubled by the fact that the New Democrats continue to try to stifle development and trade opportunities. I come from a riding that has a great deal of agriculture, food processing, primary agriculture, and grains and oil seeds. This particular trade bill would certainly improve the lot of our agricultural community in terms of the kinds of things we would be able to export, including meat, vegetables and peas, and even paper and paper board products from the forestry industry.

I would like my colleague to comment on the importance of this for the agricultural community in Canada.

[Employment, November 2nd, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is focused on what matters to Canadians: helping to create jobs, supporting economic growth and securing our long-term prosperity.

While we are focused on our low tax plan that would help create jobs, the NDP is pushing high tax schemes to kill jobs. The NDP's massive carbon scheme would not only take $21 billion out of the pockets of Canadians, it would also cripple Canadian businesses and kill Canadian jobs.

Could the Minister of State (Finance) please update the House on the state of the Canadian job market?

[Jobs and Growth, 2012, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, my colleague is generally a pretty jovial guy, so it is surprising to see him so grumpy today and so negative about this bill. There are a lot of good measures in Bill C-45. The registered disability savings plans are being improved. The EI credit for small business employers is being continued. It is a credit of up to $1,000 against a small business employer's increase in 2012 premiums. This is available to over 536,000 employees.

Does my colleague agree with these improvements in Bill C-45? Finally, I would like to ask if he could also say how he feels about the comments of his former leader, Mr. Broadbent, when he said:

Taxes are the hinge that links citizens to one another and to the common good...We should also consider...implementing taxes on very large inheritances of wealth which pass morally-unjustifiable class privilege.... Significant revenues could be raised by the introduction of a financial transaction tax... Green taxes—such as a carbon tax and higher taxes on natural resources—need to be considered as a means of financing

I would like my colleague to respond to those three questions.

[Homecoming Celebration, October 30th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, on June 4, I rose in this House and asked all Canadians to join me in a prayer for Lydia Herrle, a 13-year-old who was severely injured by a garbage truck while exiting her school bus.

It is with joy that I tell this House that our prayers have been answered. On October 9, Lydia returned home. She remains fragile and easily overwhelmed and still faces a difficult journey of recovery. Prayers are still needed and appreciated.

On November 1, a homecoming celebration will be held, and thousands of tattered green ribbons will greet her. These ribbons have lined our streets all summer on trees, mailboxes, vehicles and fence posts. The elements have taken their toll on them, but I share the Herrle's gratitude to our community: “These tattered ribbons renew our hope and faith, and have regularly reminded us that we do not stand alone”.

My heart will be with Lydia and her family as they celebrate. As Lydia said: “I am excited for the green ribbon party”.

I thank Canada for praying for Lydia.