Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games  Mr. Speaker, the city of Owen Sound recently made history when it became the smallest community in Ontario to ever host a Special Olympics Ontario Winter Games. Owen Sound Police Services Detective Chris Hartley, chairman of the event, his committee and move than 700 volunteers are to be commended for their hard work in putting this very successful event together.

Senate Tenure Legislation  Mr. Speaker, my constituents in Bruce--Grey--Owen Sound have some very strong opinions about the Senate. In fact, a survey in my riding has revealed that 86% of respondents want Senate reform. There is currently a bill before the Senate to limit the terms of senators to eight years.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, as it is close to the holiday season, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and all my colleagues in the House all the best of the season, Happy Hanukkah and a Merry Christmas. I am proud to present a petition on behalf of 264 young Canadians from my riding.

Canadian Forces  Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure today to support the motion tabled by my colleague, the hon. member for Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke. I point out all the fine work that my colleague, the member from Renfrew, has done when it comes to support for the military. When it comes to the defence critic for the opposition, the member for Vancouver South, I will not use the word “honourable” this time.

Canadian Forces  There is another gentleman behind me who wants to—

Canadian Forces  Mr. Speaker, that is the kind of politicization we should not hear on such an issue. On a more serious note, I acknowledge and recognize the family of Chief Warrant Officer Robert Michel Joseph Girouard who is here today. My apologies, Mr. Speaker, I realize I am not supposed to say the family is in the House.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the staff and council of the County of Grey on the outstanding initiatives they are taking to improve the environment. This month the council approved a pilot project for local biodiesel production that involves an Owen Sound processor and a group of area canola farmers led by Meaford farmer Brian Wiley.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, to my hon. colleague from the NDP, I am farmer. I am a producer. I have sold wheat. In Ontario I have a choice. I can sell my wheat directly or I can sell it through the Ontario Wheat Board. It is my choice. What a concept. Obviously, the party across the way does not believe in that.

Robert Thomas James Mitchell  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert Thomas James “Jim” Mitchell who was killed in the Panjawyi district of Afghanistan on October 3. His life was taken when he and another soldier were working alongside their fellow comrades to clear mines and improvised explosive devices from a route for a future road construction project.

Government Programs  Mr. Speaker, today is day 128 of the Liberal Senate's delaying tactics. Unelected and unaccountable Liberal Senators have taken the teeth out of the accountability act through amendments. They have allowed big money to creep back into politics. They have allowed the private interests of the Liberal Party to take precedence over the public interests of Canadians.

Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, the member for Selkirk—Interlake, for his knowledge and support for all the lumber producers and logging companies in his riding. I heard earlier today my colleague from the Renfrew-Pembroke area who made comments in the House on the bill.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I kind of chuckle to myself when I hear some of the comments from my colleague across the floor. The member mentions the Wheat Board. What do you have against western farmers--

Committees of the House  My apology, Mr. Speaker. You are absolutely right, I should have known better. During the speech of my colleague across the floor he mentioned the Wheat Board. I would like to know what he has against western wheat producers on that issue alone and why they should not have a choice.

Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006  Mr. Speaker, the softwood lumber agreement has dragged on for years, for way too long.

Softwood Lumber Products Export Charge Act, 2006  Twenty-four years. It is unbelievable, and the previous government could not seem to deal with it. The lumber producing provinces across this country, including British Columbia, where the hon. member who is yapping back here is from, the industry, all the small loggers and the large loggers support this.