Jacques Gourde

[Agriculture, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, in the past five years, has the Bloc Québécois ever voted for a single law to help farm producers in Quebec and Canada? No.

We have announced an enhanced advance program that will double the amount of interest-free loans to $100,000 per farmer, regardless of where the farmer lives.

We are addressing the failures of the previous Liberal CAIS program by adjusting the inventory valuations back to 2003, 2004 and 2005, which will allow us to—

[Agriculture, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his question.

Yesterday, a press release from the Union des producteurs agricoles in Quebec had this to say:

Farmers in Quebec and the rest of Canada will be able to breathe a bit easier in the coming months thanks to the new enhanced spring credit advance program announced yesterday by the federal agriculture minister.

This was the reaction of Laurent Pellerin, president of the UPA, who recognizes that Quebec farmers' expectations regarding the cash advance program have largely been met.

Yesterday's reports that the federal government's change to the CAIS program and extension of the--

[Agriculture, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, we should ask the government that was in power at the time and voted against emergency aid of $400 million in 2001 for Canadian farm families. In addition, it voted against assistance for farmers hit hard by mad cow disease.

The Liberals had 13 years to help Canadian farmers and they failed. Our government has made a commitment to farmers. That is why we will ensure that this record payment is made to Canadian farmers this year, and in record time.

[Agriculture, May 19th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, over the balance of the past 13 years did the Liberal Party prove to us that it provided Canadian farmers with a short- and long-term vision for agriculture? We are obliged to say no.

The member for Malpeque is quite mistaken. Our government ordered the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food to start working immediately with farm groups that administer the improved advance payment programs, to double the maximum amount of interest-free loans to $100,000 per Canadian farmer. This does not require any amendments to the act and goes immediately to 1.2—

[Agriculture, May 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question.

In its latest budget, the government has introduced a measure to treat agricultural cooperative dividends as a tax deferral. This measure will benefit many Canadian farmers who are members of agricultural cooperatives.

[Grain Transportation, May 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, we know that producers need help now, and it is now that we are giving them help.

[Grain Transportation, May 12th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, this government has promised $750 million in aid under the grains and oilseeds programs. To date $515 million has been paid out to farmers. This amount—

[The Budget, May 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate my colleague on her speech. I would like to ask her a question.

What is the Bloc Québécois' vision, and what is her own, with respect to measures that will ensure a prosperous future for Quebec workers?

[The Budget, May 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague on his speech.

How would the Bloc Québécois propose to aid development and regional economic diversity in order to help workers over 55 re-enter the labour market?

[The Budget, May 9th, 2006]

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate my colleague for Châteauguay—Saint-Constant on her speech.

I would like this colleague to explain her vision for future Quebec generations, who will have to manage the new challenges of globalization of markets, technology and know-how.

What future path does the Bloc Québécois propose for my government and my children?