Supply  Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the hon. member that I did take part in those committee hearings. I travelled to Ontario and Quebec with that committee. The parliamentary secretary would like to simplify the situation by saying that the Reform Party would eliminate the 49th parallel.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I would like to respond to the hon. member's comments and then I will talk with him later. The hon. member pointed to the poverty issue and said, from what I understand, that trade liberalization has increased this gap. I absolutely differ with him on that point. Trade liberalization has actually helped to remove poverty.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, before I start I want to ask my hon. colleague opposite to stop saying I am new to this portfolio. I have been in this portfolio for almost eight months. It is a pleasure for me to rise to speak to the motion brought forward by my colleague from the NDP. Frankly, I believe a debate on this issue is long overdue and I think Canadians feel the same way.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, it is the parliamentary secretary's government that has not consulted Canadians on these trade issues. We also have a problem with not consulting the provinces. That is why we have a bulk water problem. The consultation process the government has initiated is probably responsible for many of the myths we are hearing.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I listened with great interest to the points made by the leader of the New Democratic Party. She talked about her party being in favour of a rules based system. Then she talked about corporations taking over. Even a rules based system that we are talking about will give Canadian companies the opportunity to expand their businesses which in turn will be beneficial to the workers of the country.

Emancipation Day Act, 1999  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-282, an act proclaiming Emancipation Day. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise on behalf of the constituents of Calgary East to introduce my private member's bill in the House today. The bill would proclaim August 1 as emancipation day to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the British Commonwealth on August 1, 1834.

Agriculture  Mr. Speaker, WTO negotiations begin next month and the government has no final position on the table. In the meantime our farmers are left to wonder if the government will have their best interests at heart when at the negotiating table. A recent study by the George Morris Centre indicated that Canadian farmers will benefit greatly if this WTO round eliminates all tariff and non-tariff barriers to international trade.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I listened to my colleague's address. He raised all the problems that exist in the airline industry and put all the issues on the table. However, he did not say what should be done. He is leaving that to the airlines to sort out. He touched on some very good points, the biggest being competition.

Supply  Madam Speaker, I listened with great interest to the debate today. I heard the minister's speech and my colleague's speech. She talked about having an open debate, which is right. She talked about certain issues like regional communities being serviced, employees and the excellent airlines that we have.

Festival Of Lights  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend again my personal invitation to all members of the House to attend the second annual Diwali celebration on Parliament Hill on Thursday, October 28. Last year's celebration marked the first ever Diwali celebration on Parliament Hill and was a tremendous success due to the overwhelming support of the Indo-Canadian community.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, there is no question that farming prices today have been rising. That is because of the government's high taxation policy. As well, it has not addressed the issues. It is a do nothing approach again. It takes a slow approach. Nothing happens. If something does happen, then the government wakes up to the fact that something has happened.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the hon. member that it was the federal government which cut transfer payments for health care and education to the provinces, forcing them into a financial crisis in which they could not address this issue. Nevertheless, Alberta has just given $100 million to its farmers.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, that is the usual Liberal rhetoric. The government can have as many meetings as it wants, but it has produced zero. Nothing has happened. The official opposition is asking the Prime Minister to lead a high level delegation to Europe to explain the damage which the subsidies are causing to their industries as well as ours, as well to free trade.

Supply  Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind the hon. member opposite that the official opposition asked dozens of questions but the government answered none. It is a pleasure to rise to speak to the motion which is before the House. I would like to thank my colleagues who have spoken today for their dedication to and hard work on the farm crisis which exists in this country.

Criminal Code  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-219, an act to amend the Criminal Code (breaking and entering). Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise on behalf of the constituents of Calgary East to introduce my private member's bill in the House today. The bill would establish a minimum two year sentence for second or subsequent convictions for the break and enter of dwelling houses.