Taxation  Mr. Speaker, I have heard from many constituents in my riding and across Canada worried about troubling U.S. tax laws that would punish Canadians. For many of these constituents, their only transgression was failing to file IRS paperwork they were unaware they were required to file.

Order of Canada  Mr. Speaker, on November 4, I was honoured to attend the Governor General's Order of Canada ceremony to support and thank one of Red Deer's most valuable citizens, Joan Donald. She received this prestigious award for her contribution to business and her philanthropy across our community.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, it was said by Socrates, “Nobody is qualified to become a statesman who is entirely ignorant of the problems of wheat”. I am afraid that comes into this realm. Could the hon. member discuss what will happen when we have the ability to continue the pooling options for wheat, durum and barley but be able to include other grains as well?

Firearms Registry  Mr. Speaker, Canadians gave our government a strong mandate to end the wasteful and ineffective long gun registry once and for all, and that is exactly what we are doing. However, members on this side of the House are not the only ones who received that mandate from the people of Canada.

Agri-Trade Exposition  Mr. Speaker, I am excited to announce the 28th annual Agri-Trade Exposition that will take place in my riding November 9 to 12. The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, the Westerner Exposition Association and the driving force behind the expo, Pat Kennedy, are all to be thanked for this year's upcoming success.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Kildonan—St. Paul for all the efforts she has made over the years to protect the young and the vulnerable both here and abroad. Could she expand on why it is so important that we look at Canada's trafficking in persons offences from an extraterritorial perspective?

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I am thankful that the member for Guelph has asked me that question, because he is talking to a farmer from western Canada who has a family farm that has been there since 1903. There were types of things we were forced to do when we were told that we would not be able to market the wheat and barley that we produced.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for that question as well as for all the work he has done to help give marketing freedom for farmers. I can think back to the different operations involved on our farm. I started farming 40 years ago, so I have been filling out a Canadian Wheat Board permit for the last 40 years and I know the types of things that have happened and the concerns we have in central Alberta.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, before question period we were talking about issues that were going to have to take place during transition. The first was on the Canadian Wheat Board's access. The second was on producer cars. I had just indicated the third where these changes would not change the Canadian Grain Commission's role in assuring the world-renowned quality of Canada's grain.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to stand in support of this important and timely legislation for western Canadian grain farmers. I would also like to thank the member for Prince George—Peace River for sharing his time with me today. Our government has always promised western Canadian wheat and barley growers that they would be given market freedom.

Canadian Wheat Board  Mr. Speaker, earlier today the Minister of Agriculture introduced a historic bill in this House. The marketing freedom for grain farmers act would fundamentally transform agriculture on the Prairies by giving farmers the freedom to market their grain when and where they choose, and to what buyer they choose.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, with respect to the NDP motion, I would like to address four particular points. With respect to part (a), the government has already taken action to promote job creation through the next phase of Canada's economic action plan. We will take another step to implement it shortly with the next budget bill.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to present a petition signed by 820 people in my riding of Red Deer, Alberta. The petitioners urge the federal government to honour its commitment to the UN protocol by providing adequate funding to set up safe housing for the victims of human trafficking.

The Economy  Mr. Speaker, Canada's economic position remains one of the world's best. However, the economic recovery is uncertain and remains fragile, and too many Canadians remain out of work. Instead of supporting Canadian jobs and growth, the NDP finance critic chooses to fearmonger about a hypothetical recession as if the NDP is cheering for Canada to fail.

Restoring Mail Delivery for Canadians Act  Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a couple of comments. As I had mentioned earlier, I was a union political liaison person with the ATA in the province of Alberta, so I do understand a lot of the different things that go on between negotiating parties. I would like to read something I have just received.