Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I am very privileged to be here this evening to discuss the estimates. I am also privileged to be on the fisheries and oceans committee. Some would ask what a southwestern Ontario boy would be doing on that committee. For those who do not know, Chatham-Kent—Essex has the largest freshwater fishing port in the world.

Canadian Federation of Independent Business  Mr. Speaker, the Canadian small business sector is a vital part of our economy, employing well over half the population. It creates jobs in good times and in recessionary periods like the present. In a world of constant change, small business owners stay ahead of the curve. They are innovators, risk takers and job creators.

Automotive Industry  Mr. Speaker, half a million Canadians are employed directly or indirectly in the auto industry, an industry that accounts for almost one-quarter of Canada's total manufactured exports. Earlier today the Minister of Industry and the Minister of Finance, along with the Ontario Minister of Economic Development, announced the next steps this government will take to ensure the long-term viability of this important Canadian industry.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, today, I, too, have a petition with quite a number of signatures from my riding of Chatham-Kent--Essex asking for some emergency measures to EI. They are asking for some changes to be made. I would like to present the petition at this time to the House.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, we have made significant new investments in budget 2009. I will give a rundown of a few: the knowledge infrastructure program, $2 billion; clean energy technologies, $1 billion over five years; Canada Foundation for Innovation, $750 million; Canada Health Infoway, $500 million; modernization of federal labs, $250 million; and the list goes on.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the member talked about the government not delivering in the field of R and D. Since 2006 this government has put $2.4 billion into R and D. In the economic action plan of 2009 we are going to add another $5.1 billion. As to our government's funding for scholarships, at the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, there is an increase of 50%.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Burlington. I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to the motion brought forward by the member for Westmount—Ville-Marie for it addresses an issue that is of particular importance during a time when Canadians are increasingly feeling the pressures of a global economic downturn.

Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-330, An Act to change the name of the electoral district of Chatham-Kent--Essex. Mr. Speaker, I would like to move this private member's bill for a name change to my riding. As you know Chatham-Kent—Essex is the current name. The people of Leamington, who occupy that section of Essex, have brought it to my attention that they would like to see this name change.

Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act  Mr. Speaker, I will make my question very brief. The minister has done a great job and we are so thankful for the work he has done. Could he tell us what the proposed changes would mean for the overall northern strategy of the government and this country?

Human Pathogens and Toxins Act  Mr. Speaker, I, too, was listening with interest to the proposed bill. I have a question for the parliamentary secretary. How would this relate to existing regulations for import of human pathogens?

Public Opinion Research  Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government has always been committed to the responsible use of taxpayers' money while ensuring that we meet the needs of the constituents that we serve. On Tuesday, the Minister of Public Works and Government Services released an annual report on public opinion research.

Natural Resources  Mr. Speaker, thanks to a $31 million investment from our Conservative government, the Port Alma wind farm in my riding is now online producing clean, renewable power for Canadians. This wind farm creates enough energy to power 30,000 homes each year. It is just one project in a long list of clean, renewable energy projects that our government is supporting across the country.

Black History Month  Mr. Speaker, in February we will again celebrate Black History Month throughout Canada, and this has significant importance to my riding of Chatham-Kent—Essex. Prior to abolition in 1865, as many as 40,000 men, women and children made the perilous trip north from enslavement in the United States to freedom in Canada.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to welcome the member back and I congratulate him on the arrival of the newborn. I know he will spend many wonderful evenings changing that baby and that he will be of great help to his spouse. We are really discussing the throne speech and I must confess that I did not see that issue in the throne speech.

Resumption of debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the hon. member on his return to the House and thank him for his question. I want to point out, and I pointed it out in my speech as well, that it was the prudent foresight that the government acted on in the fall of 2007 that put us in the position we are in today.