As I travelled around our Battle River-Crowfoot riding over the past week, the talk was about the harvest and the challenges we are all experiencing getting it off the fields; Remembrance Day; and Donald Trump's election as President of the United States of America.
Many farmers have completed a very good harvest. The weather this fall has not exactly helped us get it all in. Our strong agriculture sector in Battle River-Crowfoot has served us well historically and it will continue to provide an economic boom for us for many decades. But there are challenges.
As your Member of Parliament, I am always pleased to report the remarkable numbers of us who pay our respect to Canada's military each and every year at Remembrance Day ceremonies throughout our riding.
This year, I was speaking in Tofield, laying the Government of Canada Wreath, and spent time with the students at the Tofield School Remembrance Day Ceremony the day before. It is also a privilege to stop in at various Legions
As the Official Opposition in the House of Commons, the Conservative Party of Canada extended our congratulations to Donald Trump on his Presidential election victory in the United States.
The United States is, and will remain, Canada's closest friend and ally, and, our largest customer by far. Our unique relationship has stood the test of nearly 150 years.
Our focus will continue to be on bilateral initiatives with the United States that will contribute to the Canadian economy, create jobs, and enhance our collective security. President-elect Trump has made it clear that he supports the Keystone XL pipeline, as has Prime Minister Trudeau. The Conservative Party of Canada calls upon the Prime Minister to reach out to President-elect Trump at the earliest opportunity and make the approval of this job-creating project a top priority.
Our job is to hold the current Canadian government to account on resolving trade irritants like the softwood lumber dispute.
We will also press the Liberal government to pursue a strong free trade agenda with the new U.S. Administration. We expect the Canadian government to work with the new administration to ensure Canadians and Canadian businesses continue to reap the benefits of our close trade relationship.
In addition to working with the incoming President and his administration, Conservatives would like to congratulate Members of Congress and Governors who have been elected or re-elected.
The Trump Presidency will include a Republican majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The close ties between our countries are equally important at the local, state and Congressional level, and we will be seeking to strengthen those ties and cooperation for years to come.