Fairness for the Self-Employed Act  Madam Speaker, I am very pleased to speak today on a bill that provides improvements to the employment insurance program which would, if passed into law, set up a system to allow self-employed Canadians to collect EI special benefits for the very first time. This will mean that our self-employed Canadians and their families would have access to the same treatment as most working Canadians for major events, such as the arrival of a new baby, a serious illness, or the need to care for a gravely ill relative.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, our Conservative government is focused on what matters to Canadians, helping those hardest hit by the global recession get back to work and helping Canadian families through the global economic storm. The measures we have introduced are having significant impacts on the lives of Canadians.

Freedom of the Press  Mr. Speaker, freedom of the press was under siege last Friday evening as a prominent Canadian journalist was physically attacked outside his newspaper's offices. Jagdish Grewal, editor of the Punjabi Post, has been a powerful champion of non-violence and respect for the rule of law.

Communities in Bloom  Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to extend my congratulations to the county of Strathcona in my riding of Edmonton—Sherwood Park. Strathcona county won top prize in the international Communities in Bloom challenge for the first time since entering this competition. Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, to environmental responsibility and to improving the quality of life through community participation.

Petitions  Madam Speaker, it is my privilege to present a petition signed by hundreds of my constituents opposing Bill C-384, an act to amend the Criminal Code. I would also like to thank the Catholic Women's League of Sherwood Park for its hard work on this.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to an environmental strategy that Canadians can trust and believe in. Could the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources please tell this House and all Canadians how this government is investing in green technology and promoting leading-edge research in carbon capture and storage?

National Holocaust Monument Act  moved for leave to introduce Bill C-442, An Act to establish a National Holocaust Monument. Mr. Speaker, I am honoured today to rise in the House to introduce my private member's bill, an act to establish a national Holocaust monument. At present there is no public monument to honour either the victims or the Canadian survivors of the Holocaust.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to present two petitions on behalf of constituents in my riding of Edmonton—Sherwood Park. These signatures were collected at local trade fairs in Sherwood Park and Fort Saskatchewan. The first petition calls for the House of Commons to abolish the long gun registry.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, the second petition calls for members of the House of Commons to support Bill C-268, thereby increasing the punishments for human trafficking offences.

New Generation Prayer Team  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in the House today in recognition of Reverend Elaine Baillie, a resident of my riding and founder of the New Generation prayer team. The New Generation prayer team, made up of students from Fort Saskatchewan Christian School, have positively impacted the riding of Edmonton--Sherwood Park.

Pakistan  Mr. Speaker, the heavy clashes in northwestern Pakistan between security forces and Taliban militants have forced up to 360,000 people to flee their homes. A further one million people could be displaced in the coming months as the military offensive continues. Minorities, including Christians, Sikhs and Hindus, have been discriminated against and persecuted by the Taliban.

Taxation  Mr. Speaker, our government's economic action plan is delivering real results for Canadians. Canadians have asked for leadership from their federal government, and that is what we are providing. At this critical time when families need it most, we are reducing taxes on Canadians, creating jobs and helping Canadians who are hardest hit by this global recession.

Volunteer Firefighter  Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to honour one of my constituents, Mr. Walter Tomaszewski, a volunteer firefighter with the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department for the last 62 years. Mr. Tomaszewski started in April 1947. Walter was a soldier from 1942 to 1945, fighting for Canada and the Allies in World War II.

Points of Order  Mr. Speaker, as you know, I was cut off during my member's statement before my time was up. I agree that decorum is very important in this House and it should include S.O. 31s. I respect your position as the Chair to preside over that. I would also ask you to look at Hansard. I was simply pointing out the fact that the Liberal Party and the Liberal leader were stalling the economic action plan.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, Canadians across the country are feeling the pain of the global economic downturn. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, the government put together an economic action plan to lead Canada through these difficult times. Could the Minister of State for Transport please provide the House with details on how this government is getting money out the door and providing jobs for Canadians?