Don’t think for a moment that our Conservative government has given up on its efforts to eliminate the wasteful long-gun registry.

With our government working hard to create new markets around the world for Canadian cattle and pork products, we are pleased to also announce an extension of the period given to cattle and pork producers to repay cash advances to the Advance Payment Program.

Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff expressed “shock” at the flooding affecting Saskatchewan, as the bus in which he is traveling across the country made a brief stop in our province.

Our government has reacted quickly to the flooding crisis in Saskatchewan. More than $450 million dollars will be made available for farmers to enable them to protect and restore damaged cropland.

July marks the fourth anniversary of the implementation of the Universal Child Care Benefit.  More than two million children have benefited from this program since it was introduced by our government.

Ralph Goodale’s grandstanding on the issue of the Canadian Wheat Board and the private member’s bill he has introduced will only serve, as is his intention, to bring more attention to Ralph Goodale.

After much hard work and consultation, an agreement has been reached which will enable the First Nations University of Canada to continue to provide educational services in Saskatchewan.

More good news this week in regard to our Canadian economy, which grew 6.1% in the first quarter of 2010. 

Proving the efficacy of our Economic Action Plan for Canada, which has created more than 284,000 jobs in the past ten months alone, a new Statistics Canada report shows the strongest economic growth in a decade. 

Our Conservative government’s recently introduced Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act will bring the water regulatory requirements for First Nations into line with the provincial standard.

Our government has reintroduced anti-spam legislation in a concerted effort to drive spammers out of Canada.  Spammers undermine online confidence and create a security threat for internet users.

Our government has implemented a new code of conduct for Debit and Credit Card processors.  I am pleased to report that all payment card networks, payment processors, major credit and debit card issuers are now signatory to this agreement which will take effect August 16^th, 2010.

For the second straight year, our government will be distributing the Gas Tax Fund monies to communities three months early.  This means that municipalities will receive the funding in plenty of time for the busy Saskatchewan construction period.

Saskatchewan residents have long known the value of volunteerism.  So many of the activities that those of us in northern Saskatchewan communities take part in are dependent on volunteers that our towns would practically grind to a halt without volunteering.  I am proud of all of the volunteers in our constituency and I am happy to take this opportunity to salute them.

Our government’s stimulus-spending plan is working.  Canada’s economy has performed better than expected to begin the year, with the Gross Domestic Product rising 0.6 per cent in January alone.

Our government understands the importance of giving Canadians a direct voice in shaping their own futures.  We are aware of the thought, investment and care that Canadians have given to their personal retirement plans.

Our government’s newly-released budget for 2010 has been lauded by numerous groups across Canada, including the Canadian Cattleman’s Association and Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Continuing our aggressive push in the promotion of Canadian agricultural products, our government will be investing $14.5 million in the research and marketing of oil seed.

Over the past few weeks, a candidate for an opposition party in our riding has accused me of apathy in regard to the education of the people of our country’s First Nations.  Nothing could be further from the truth. 

I would love to hear from as many of you as possible regarding the recent investments made by our government through Canada’s Economic Action Plan and hear your opinions on what the future should hold for government stimulus spending.

Our government, having successfully implemented Phase I of our Economic Action Plan for Canada, will soon be reaching out to the country for input as we make decisions regarding the second phase of our economic stimulus plan.

Part of our government’s national anti-drug strategy includes a new website:  http://www.not4me.ca  which will help educate Canadians on the real dangers of drug use.  

Our government is determined to ensure that Canada will remain on the cutting-edge of the high-tech industry.  Working in conjunction with an expert private-sector company, our government will make a significant contribution to the future of the technology sector in this country.

For too long, white collar criminals have escaped with inappropriately light punishments.  Our government will be introducing new legislation that will ensure mandatory jail time for those committing serious fraud.  The new legislation will also address the issue of restitution.

As Remembrance Day approaches, this is a great time to think of, and thank, our country’s veterans and those currently serving in our Armed Forces.  The sacrifices made by these brave men and women, and their families, will never be forgotten. 

Recently you may have received, in the mail, a flyer from a member of the Liberal party criticising our government’s response to the H1N1 situation.  The flyer, sent through the office of Carolyn Bennett, who is the MP for the Toronto riding of St. Paul’s, insinuated that our government had behaved callously by including body bags in a package of materials designed to help members of Manitoba’s Wasagamack First Nation cope with a possible second wave of the H1N1 pandemic.

The Liberal-dominated Senate recently gutted a bill which would have eliminated the 2-for-1 loophole.  Currently, many criminals receive double credit for time spent in pretrial custody.

The Hog Industry Loan Loss Reserve Program and the Hog Farm Transition Program are now in operation and applications are currently being accepted.  These are tough times for the industry and these vital programs can help pork producers through this difficult period.

I am glad to see that our government’s Economic Action Plan will continue unabated, without being put on hold for an unnecessary and wasteful election.

The last thing our country needs right now is an election costing hundreds of millions of dollars, the only purpose of which would be cheap political posturing.

Many producers will have already received their AgriInvest deposit notices in the mail and some will be awaiting their arrival, but for those of you who have yet to apply to the program, time is running out.  The deadline to submit an AgriInvest form is September 30^th, 2009.  Applications postmarked after September 30^th and before December 31^st, 2009 will be subject to a five percent per month reduction in the matchable amount.  Applications are available by calling 1-866-367-8506.

Our government’s investment in a biofuels plant right here in Saskatchewan will not only help to provide farmers with a larger market for their products, it will also benefit the environment. 

Our government has taken decisive action regarding the threat posed by the H1N1 virus. 

Our Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq, acting on the advice of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Doctor David Butler-Jones, has placed an order for more than 50 million doses of H1N1 vaccine, which will be available to all Canadians who require it during the winter flu season.   Inoculations will likely begin in November.

Our government knows the global economic recession is affecting workers and we are taking concrete action to help Canadians through Employment Insurance (EI).  We made timely improvements to the program by providing longer EI benefits and more efficient service and we are freezing EI premiums for 2010 at the same rate as 2009 to provide economic stimulus!  We are assisting businesses experiencing temporary slowdowns and their workers through Work-Sharing agreements and increasing opportunities for unemployed Canadians to upgrade their skills and get back to work.

In these tough economic times, standing up for families is more important than ever.   I am proud to state that our Conservative Government is delivering on its commitments to families.

Canada’s National Parks and National Historic Sites represent the very best that Canada has to offer. They also contribute to our reputation around the world.

Grants from the Western Economic Diversification fund have helped Saskatchewan’s bison producers reach new consumers.

There is excitement in the air – and across Canada – as we are getting closer to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games! I hope that all of my constituents will be a part of the excitement and enthusiasm for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

As the sun rose over the beaches of Normandy 65 years ago, Canadian Forces from land, air and sea came together on D-Day in the pursuit of freedom. By the time the sun set that day, the Canadians had progressed farther than any other Allied troops.

Because of the global credit crunch, some farmers have had problems obtaining operating capital.  In rapid response to this situation, our Conservative government has shown its commitment to our Economic Action Plan by introducing new legislation which would guarantee approximately $1 billion in loans to farm families over the next five years.

I think we’re all delighted that Spring seems finally to have arrived here in Saskatchewan. We’ve all had a long winter, but I hope yours was a good one.

Our Conservative government has, time and again, made fiscally prudent tax cuts.  Even in potentially-trying economic times, we are making sure that money stays where it belongs – in the pockets of the hard-working men and women of this country. 

After previously agreeing to the passage of Bill C-13, which would help Canadian farmers by reducing unnecessary costs and build a more efficient and innovative grain sector, the opposition parties used a process known as “hoisting” to avoid the successful implementation of the bill.

With a bill before the Senate that would, at last, end the debacle that is the long-gun registry, Michael Ignatieff and his Liberals have vowed to block our government’s attempt to rid our nation of this ridiculous money pit.

Recognizing the need for Saskatchewan farmers to remain on the cutting edge of the industry, our government has recently announced an investment of $5.3 million in the Pulse Research Network, which is managed by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.

Recognizing the need for Saskatchewan farmers to remain on the cutting edge of the industry, our government has recently announced an investment of $5.3 million in the Pulse Research Network, which is managed by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.

As a former law enforcement officer, I am pleased that our Conservative government will continue to pursue tougher legislation on serious crime.  We need to ensure that our laws reflect the reality of today’s Canada.

Our government has launched a new website which will allow you to follow the progress of our Economic Action Plan for Canada.  This website,  http://www.ActionPlan.gc.ca will allow Canadians to track the actions of members of government, at all levels, with regard to economic action.

Some information for seniors this week.

Recently, I have been working closely with the Building Canada Fund – a joint venture between the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. 

With a new budget that has garnered near-unanimous enthusiasm, our government is excited about the opportunity to put the measures included in our Economic Action Plan into motion.

Our government’s 2009 budget was introduced on January 27^th.  This new Economic Action Plan for Canada provides economic stimulus as well as a reduction in personal and business taxes.