Agriculture committee  Bell, I know you talk about the farmers' market, and we have a great farmers' market in Medicine Hat and throughout the riding. We also have a huge greenhouse industry in the riding and there are certainly some major changes. I'm not sure if you're aware of how they're growing cucumbers and tomatoes.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Madam Speaker, the Medicine Hat riding is a huge rural area. About half of the population is rural, and there are all types of farmers and products. Could the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food tell the House why we need to pass this legislation immediately for the benefit of funding for research in western Canada?

Agriculture committee  I would like to thank the witnesses for coming today. It's important to get your perspective on Growing Forward. I'm from the Medicine Hat riding in the southeast corner of Alberta. We have a huge agricultural area, with both dry-land farming and irrigation. Our crops include peas, lentils, beets, potatoes, canola, wheat, barley, etc.

Keeping Canada's Economy and Jobs Growing Act  In addition to that, through our knowledge infrastructure program, millions and millions of dollars have been invested in universities and colleges right across Canada, including the Medicine Hat College in my own riding.

Public Accounts committee  From that standpoint, it was absolutely great. I understand that there may be one project within our group, by the City of Medicine Hat, on water treatment, and they're saying that it may be delayed slightly. It could still come in on time, but part of that was because of the massive floods throughout southeast Alberta this last June.

The Budget  This is a great place to be and a great place to share our ideas and knowledge. First of all, I would like to thank the voters of the great riding of Medicine Hat for re-electing me as the member for that constituency. My colleague just mentioned this, but I would like to mention it again because it appears that some of the members opposite do not recognize that over 70% of Canadians did not vote for the NDP.

Community Service  Madam Speaker, for the past 34 years Dr. Kenneth Sauer has enriched the city of Medicine Hat through his volunteerism and public service. A former educator and city alderman, Dr. Sauer has held many leadership roles in the community with the Palliser Health Region, the Medicine Hat Public Schools' Education Foundation, and the Kiwanis Club.

Citizens of the Year  Positive and outgoing, Talon is constantly looking for ways to lend a helping hand. Congratulations to both of them. I also want to welcome the Friendship Force of Medicine Hat, who are in Ottawa today.

Petitions  This would further increase enhancing trading with the United States. I am presenting this petition on behalf of the citizens of Medicine Hat.

Citizen Awards  I congratulate both Tamara and Alex on their well-deserved awards. Both of these individuals embody the civic spirit that continues to make the Medicine Hat constituency a great place to live.

Special Olympics World Summer Games  Speaker, I am honoured to congratulate my constituent, Christine Sullivan, who will be competing in power lifting at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. Christine is from my riding of Medicine Hat, and she and 108 other athletes are proudly representing Canada. In Greece they will promote the fundamental principles and values of the Olympics. These athletes show us that no matter what the obstacle, through hard work and dedication they can achieve athletic excellence.

The Budget  It is an honour for me to rise in the House to give my maiden speech. I would like to take a few minutes to thank the constituents of my riding of Medicine Hat for their support in the past federal election and for their confidence in electing me as their representative to the House of Commons for this 40th Parliament. It is an honour and privilege to serve them to the best of my ability.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs committee  That's a good point. In my own riding of Medicine Hat, we have communities that have had boil-water advisories for many years. Anyway, I would also like to get an indication of what the department is doing in terms of the number of housing units and schools being built for first nations, and the projected timelines on having those units completed.

National Defence committee  MDA has a facility in our riding, in the Medicine Hat riding. The Canadian Centre for Unmanned Vehicle Systems is also headquartered in Medicine Hat. So that, for me, is a very positive thing. I found your presentation, as well as the one the other day regarding the satellites and the possibilities of getting all the information from those, very intriguing.

National Defence committee  There was something else you talked about earlier with HRSDC, in terms of R and D and working with other military-type situations. We have an organization in Medicine Hat, Meggitt Defense Systems, and they have been working hand in glove with those folks, and you talked about the complications in terms of conflict. So there has to be a way forward on that, because I've heard there are issues in terms of Meggitt trying to sell equipment to the government, yet they can sell it right around the world.