Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Acting Prime Minister.
In its budget, the government intends to spend $3.5 billion to compensate Western grain producers for eliminating the Crow subsidy which totals nearly $600 million annually. This compensation will be a direct incentive for the diversification of agricultural production in Western Canada.
Considering current budgetary constraints, how can the Liberal government justify replacing a grain transportation subsidy of $560 million with financial compensation and guarantees totalling $3.5 billion?