Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to express my support for Bill C-50, which would amend the Employment Insurance Act to provide additional EI regular benefits to long tenured workers. As the House is well aware, our government is hard at work to help Canadians in every part of our society deal with the current economic downturn and the challenges that bear on individuals, their families and communities.

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, I certainly listened with respect to the great deal of passion that the hon. member brings to representing his constituents. I think I need to make mention that our economic action plan recognizes that there is not just one solution to the global recession that we are facing, which is why we have the community adjustments fund.

Employment Insurance Act  Madam Speaker, I too am from British Columbia and I actually live in the interior which does have forests. Certainly the impact of this crisis on the forestry workers is very near and dear to my heart. I look at the work happening throughout my riding in terms of the economic action plan, building infrastructure, building Canada as work is being done on our universities.

Employment Insurance Act  Mr. Speaker, during this time of global recession, I have seen the strong benefits of the job opportunities program in my riding. I was delighted to hear that the student program is being enhanced and moving forward. We make great use of the work sharing program in my riding. I am delighted to hear today about the changes in terms of unemployment benefits for long tenured workers.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, as the post offices of our country are part of the rural fabric, the second petition calls upon Canada to maintain the moratorium on post office closures and withdraw the legislation to legalize remailers.

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to present two petitions. The first petition concerns the long-gun registry which continues to be a major source of irritant for many of our rural communities. The petitioners are calling upon the House of Commons to support Bill C-391.

Employment Insurance  Mr. Speaker, while the leader of the Liberal Party continues to put his personal aspirations ahead of Canadians with talk of an unwanted election, our Conservative government is working to deliver results for Canadians hit hardest by the global recession. Many of these workers are in my riding of Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo.

Main Estimates, 2009-10  Mr. Speaker, I was really puzzled by the last question by the hon. member from the opposition. Indeed, the infrastructure programs have moved at warp speed. All levels of government and all civil servants have been approving projects and getting money out the door. Could my hon. colleague share some more great examples of shovels getting into the ground and money getting out the door?

Crime Prevention  Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute to the RCMP officers in my riding of Kamloops who are part of the prolific offender program. This program began in 2007 with the monitoring of 32 chronic offenders. This number has now grown to a watchful eye on 57 repeat offenders. The results have been outstanding.

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, for all the reasons that my colleague has stated, the idea of a national securities regulator makes so much sense in terms of moving forward and protecting the public. I find it very strange that we are having this conversation today. Could my colleague tell me if there is something about the word “voluntary” that perhaps we understand differently?

Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement  Madam Speaker, I listened with interest to what my colleague across the aisle had to say. I found it quite stunning to hear what he said. I have communities that are very impacted by the softwood lumber agreement. They have said that they are grateful for it, that it has helped save the few jobs that are there.

National Nursing Week  Mr. Speaker, during National Nursing Week, please let me share three inspirational examples of some of the diverse work being done by the 270,000 nurses in our country. Janice Snowie has worked full time for over 25 years. She has been on call one night in three in a small rural emergency room.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I stood today to talk in support of the seal hunt but I am actually from the interior of British Columbia where we certainly do not have oceans. However, in response to my colleague's question, it becomes important as parliamentarians to look at all of Canada and do what is right.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, I am not close to the sea. I grew up in an urban centre and moved as a young adult to rural remote British Columbia. What is very obvious to me is that what is normal in an urban environment is not the way of life for our rural communities. Let me take the fur trade.

Committees of the House  Mr. Speaker, it is always very fortunate to be preceded by the minister. I thought he talked very eloquently and clearly in terms of our government's next step. I really appreciate his earlier comments regarding where our government is going.