Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's contribution to this discussion. I think it is an important discussion. I appreciate the fact that I have been recognized as many of the other folks have on the other side of this chamber who have talked about this being a major issue.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I am convinced that the farmers I represent, especially young farmers who are excited about new opportunities and hoping for change, are as smart as the farmers who are in Quebec and Ontario, the farmers that the member may represent. I believe my farmers have the same capacity to market their product and they need to have the same opportunity as the farmers in Ontario and Quebec.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, it is a very timely question. It is a disturbing reality when we look at the numbers out today what the price is that farmers in western Canada are being offered by the Canadian Wheat Board. Today, the fixed price is $7.52. The pool outlook is $9.47. If I had the freedom and my brother had the freedom to sell grain in North Dakota today, we would be getting $12.47.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, this is an important point. Small farmers in my constituency, especially small farmers who are young, innovative and want to create a unique product, in many cases an organic product, cannot do it under the Canadian Wheat Board. Currently, the Wheat Board takes that quality, unique niche product, that someone has spent a significant portion of time getting their land to organic quality producing an organic wheat, and takes that crop and pools it in with all the other farmers' crops so that farmer has no opportunity to market a quality, unique niche crop.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I will be splitting my time with the member for Palliser. I appreciate this opportunity to rise and support this piece of legislation, because I believe it is going to provide western Canadian wheat and barley farmers with the freedom that they have long desired: the ability to market their own grain and to make their own business decisions.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I could not help but take the opportunity to stand in my place because it is the younger people I represent in my constituency, the young people who are trying to build a better future for their families on the farm, who very desperately want the option to market their grain so that they can get the best value for their wheat and barley.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Madam Speaker, on a point of order. I am not sure if you are aware, but there are countless members of the Conservative caucus who want to ask questions. Several members on the other side have asked multiple questions. I believe it would be important to hear what the strong representatives of the Canadian wheat farmers have to say on this side of the House.

Peace Country Harvest  Mr. Speaker, I stand in the House today to pay tribute to the countless farm families in the Peace Country who are diligently working to complete this autumn's harvest. This past week I travelled the Peace Country and met with many producers who are significantly behind in bringing in their crops as they have been hampered by wet weather conditions and in some cases by the sheer volume of the crops that need to be brought in.

Wireless Communications  Mr. Speaker, a significant report released by the Convergence Consulting Group earlier this week held good news for Canadian consumers. The report noted that more and more households are using cell phone services only. Why? Because wireless prices have come down dramatically due to greater competition, which is a direct result of the AWS spectrum auction conducted by our government in 2008.

Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act  Madam Speaker, with regard to what the member just said—

Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act  Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I know the member did want to stand and apologize for her remarks with regard to the St. Louis. I wonder if you would allow the member the opportunity to apologize to those people who would be offended by her comments with regard to revising history.

Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act  Madam Speaker, I know the member was actually preparing to stand to apologize when I stood, and I wonder if you would give her the opportunity to apologize to the House.

Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada's Immigration System Act  Madam Speaker, the first point is that there has actually been an increase in funding for settlement services across the provinces. So the member, I am certain, would like to retract that comment. I would also think the member would want to retract her comments with regard to the boatload of Jewish refugees who came to Canada.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I am very supportive of the idea of lifting every senior out of poverty. That is why I am proud to be part of a government that has actually done that. The hon. member talks about the motion having some capacity to do anything in terms of lifting people out of poverty, but there is no plan attached.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to respond to the remarks made by my colleague from Winnipeg North. On the health care front, our government has made it very clear that we will continue to contribute to the health transfers and we will see increases, as we have over the last number of years.