Portage Plains United Way  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to rise and pay tribute to the Portage Plains United Way. I was pleased to attend its kick-off luncheon last week and to see first-hand the commitment these people have to giving back to their community. This United Way donates 100% of all funds raised to organizations in Portage la Prairie and the surrounding area.

Firearms Registry  Mr. Speaker, on May 15, I rose in this House and brought forward a private member's bill, Bill C-391, to repeal the long gun registry. Since that time, opposition members and their leaders have done everything possible to stop the bill from coming before the House to be publicly debated and voted on.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, yesterday the Liberal leader threatened to block our economic action plan and force Canada into an unnecessary summer election. Since the start of this global recession, our Conservative government has provided the largest and fastest stimulus package in the G8. We are permanently reducing the tax burden on Canadians and we have expanded support for those hardest hit by the recession.

Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada  Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party is out of touch with Canadians. His understanding of Canadians and their needs is questionable at best. Through our economic action plan, our Conservative government has been providing tax relief to Canadian families, creating jobs and helping those most in need.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, tonight there will be an important vote on matrimonial real property rights, Bill C-8. The bill would correct the clear inequality that exists for those living on reserves by granting them basic rights and protections in the event of a relationship breakdown. All other Canadians currently enjoy this right but the Liberals are trying to defeat this bill with a hoist motion before the House.

Criminal Code  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-391, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Firearms Act (repeal of long-gun registry). Mr. Speaker, it is an honour for me to rise today to table my private member's bill. I would like to thank the member of Parliament for Yorkton—Melville for his seconding my bill and also for his tireless work on this issue.

Health  Mr. Speaker, scientists around the world agree that H1N1 flu in pigs is not a food safety issue. The OIE and the WHO also continue to state that eating pork is not a food safety issue. We see some countries keeping their borders open, while others are closing their borders and limiting trade.

Manitoba Premier's Volunteer Service Award  Madam Speaker, last week, the Pilot Mound Millennium Recreation Complex volunteers received the 2009 Manitoba Premier's Volunteer Service Award. Theirs is an amazing story and a testimony to community spirit. Ten years ago, the people of Pilot Mound purchased an old arena located 1,200 kilometres away.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, on April 14, the Liberal leader finally revealed his economic plan to Canadians when he said, “We will have to raise taxes”. Does the government agree with the Liberal leader when he says “We will have to raise taxes?”

Infrastructure  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to highlight some of the important work that is already under way across northern Canada. This work is stimulating local economies, creating jobs and improving our vital infrastructure. Before I begin, however, I want to commend my colleague, the member for Labrador, for bringing attention and focus to this important issue.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, there is one thing members on this side of the House find very frustrating. We are making an attempt to protect Canadians from criminals. We have put forward legislation and different amendments, but it seems that no matter what we try to do, opposition members try to block it.

Business of Supply  Exactly, get tough on criminals. Support it.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the fact is that the registry, as it exists, does criminalize legitimate gun owners who do not register their weapons. It is a farce. We have a licensing process and we need to continue with that. The fact is that criminals are not registering their guns. We have criminals who are killing and hurting people.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I agree. We have the same goals in mind and that is to reduce crime, to make our streets safer and to ensure that men, women and children are protected. A lot of the issues the hon. member raised are issues relating to licensing, which is something we do support. The problem is when we have law-abiding citizens who are made to look and feel like criminals because they have a gun.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time today with the member for Yorkton—Melville. I stand today to address the House on the motion brought forward by the hon. member for Marc-Aurèle-Fortin. I am aware that gun crime prevention is an issue of great importance to the hon. member, as it is to all of us in this House.