Budget Implementation Act, 2009  Mr. Speaker, all members come with the sentiment of hope that all our constituents bring to us. This has been a guiding force in the work that I take on before Parliament and after Parliament. As far as being insular, for a moment it seemed that Canada was being portrayed as insular.

Budget Implementation Act, 2009  Mr. Speaker, on the mining exploration tax credit, we think it is a great idea to support some of the initial steps in mining exploration, and I pointed that out. I want to be clear. People in mining communities are losing their jobs in the thousands. Many of these companies provide a great deal of tax revenue to the federal government.

Budget Implementation Act, 2009  Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves in an interesting time, certainly in the global context, dealing with the unprecedented downturn in the global economy. One word that has become much more common in our vocabulary, certainly in the political realm, is the word “hope”. This word was frequently used in the election campaign held by our neighbours to the south.

Budget Implementation Act, 2009  Mr. Speaker, I have a question for my hon. colleague further to something he said regarding what women are going through during this economic crisis. He talked about the fact that many women work in part time jobs. This is their reality, and we see that the government is not responding to it.

Budget Implementation Act, 2009  Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the member a very specific question about what is happening in the Canadian economy. What does he see in his region? I know that people in my riding of Churchill, in northern Manitoba, are losing their jobs. They see nothing in this budget that meet their needs in terms of their experience with housing or employment insurance, I would like my colleague to share with me some specific examples of what is happening in his region and say why this budget does not address the situation.

CANADA NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS ACT  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for truly painting a 3-D portrayal of some of the really exciting work that non-profit organizations do in her constituency of Halifax. I look forward to going there and seeing it up close. My question stems from my experience in working with non-profit organizations in my home area, specifically the Thompson Crisis Centre in Thompson, Manitoba.

Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, certainly in our region there are some very exciting initiatives in terms of food security and local food production. Fortunately, we have a provincial government that has taken a leading role in supporting these initiatives. However, the question in our riding is, where is the federal government?

Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, we definitely foresee serious problems in terms of the future of this industry. The people I spoke with mentioned the leadership of both Quebec and Canada in cheese production. Why not say the same thing about yogourt, a product that we are all familiar with and that is now touted as essential for health?

Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act  Madam Speaker, in our discussions today on Bill C-2 and the discussion around the trade agreement in question, the question we really need to be asking is: What is our vision of Canada? Growing up as a proud Canadian, I know that words like fairness, equality and justice are words that characterize who we are.

Science and Technology  Mr. Speaker, the fact that Genome Canada's funding is even in question shows 19th century thinking for a 21st century problem. South of the border, President Obama is doubling funding to research. He knows that research will create the jobs in the new economy. What does our government do?

Science and Technology  Mr. Speaker, the government does not understand anything. Why is there still uncertainty? Universities are more than just concrete. They need students, professors and researchers. What is the government doing to help students reduce their debt load, and what is the government's commitment to research in our institutions?

Economic and Fiscal Statement  Mr. Speaker, we hear the member talk a lot about Canadians as though they were some big amorphous group. The reality is that Canadians represent a diverse range of groups, groups that are not represented in this fiscal update, and they are the reason we need to look at alternatives in terms of governing this country.

Economic and Fiscal Statement  Mr. Speaker, reference has been made to looking out for the benefit of Canadians. Much discussion has taken place on the issue of gender and how women suffer a great deal as a result of the government's agenda. Not only are we seeing the systematic roll-back of the battle related to pay equity, but we are also seeing threats to the more general area of the rights of workers, in which women are affected as well.

Aboriginal Affairs  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tremendous work being done by young aboriginal leaders in first nations across my riding of Churchill. These young leaders point to the need for young people to be heard. They speak of the hardships they face: high rates of suicide, an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, and tremendous abuse.

Resumption of Debate on Address in Reply  Mr. Speaker, in response to my colleague's comments, I encourage him and his caucus to vote against the throne speech which fails to deal with the issues that we need to act on for the benefit of Canadians. We need to look at economic stimulus all across the region. In my speech I mentioned a number of areas, certainly in the area of infrastructure.