This last week the House of Commons was in recess so I’ve been in and around the riding, doing tours of various towns, meeting with people and listening to their concerns. So this week’s column is just a short report (in a question and answer format) on what your neighbors were asking me in the coffee shops.

There were a few questions on what was happening with the long gun registry. Is the plan to scrap it still going ahead? Yes, legislation has been tabled in the House of Commons to repeal the long gun registry. However, the current vote count in the House of Commons shows that the government Bill to repeal the long gun registry will not pass. Earlier this spring, the government had thought that enough Liberal and NDP backbenchers would join the Conservatives to repeal the registry. However, events over the summer appear to have changed the views of some Opposition MPs.

What is happening with ethanol and bio-diesel? Within the next month or so, I anticipate announcements will be coming out on a national strategy for renewable fuels. The government is committed to having 5% of fuels be renewable by 2010. The details of how we are going to get to that target (and the means by which to make ethanol and bio-diesel a positive economic force in rural Canada) are still being worked on.

Can you do anything to fix the provincial roads? No, unfortunately I only influence the federal, national government. I travel all the roads in Saskatoon-Humboldt and I am as irritated with the provincial road situation as anyone. (I do complain to my provincial MLA, though.)

The number one question that I have been asked all week is: What’s the weather like in Ottawa? The answer: Wetter and warmer than back home in Saskatchewan. Ottawa is an OK place to work but nothing beats Saskatchewan for home.

I’m Brad Trost, your MP for Saskatoon-Humboldt, I welcome your feedback, contact my offices anytime.