Leader, congratulations to you and your team on your appointment. Welcome to our new colleagues, in particular Senator Cotter, who, as Senator Tannas indicated, was a classmate of mine three or four years or so ago.

Leader, the social and economic pain and anxiety continue to build in Alberta related directly to your government’s policies. In my extensive outreach throughout my province, I have never heard or seen what I have in the last few months. I believe the Prime Minister and his cabinet need to see and hear first-hand, as I have, the human effects of his policies — the effects on people, on community agencies and on businesses.

Therefore, in that regard, on January 8, I sent a letter to the Prime Minister inviting him and his cabinet to Alberta in the first quarter of this year to a community of middle-class Canadians especially punished by your policies. I have suggested Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Red Deer or Medicine Hat.

Leader, would you kindly advise me when I may expect a positive reply to my invitation?