Good day, Madam, ministers. I'm truly delighted to meet with you today, especially as you are in the best position to speak to us about the Canadian Wheat Board.
I'm from Quebec, Mr. Horner. You made a rather impassioned presentation, in my opinion, but regardless of whether one comes from Prince Edward Island or Quebec, that's no reason for farmers and producers not to stand united. I was talking yesterday with officials from the Quebec Union des producteurs agricoles who were on hand to testify about the Canadian Wheat Board and that's precisely what I was told, namely that farmers stand united.
We were democratically elected to serve and we can legitimately review all matters submitted to the committee for its consideration. If we failed to do so, we would, quite naturally, be accused of not doing our job. Hence our interest in these matters.
Earlier, Mr. Horner, you said that you were a proponent of freedom of choice. We often hear the federal Conservatives say the same kind of thing. I admit that I also support freedom of choice, but to the extent, however, that farmers should be free to choose how they want to deal with the Canadian Wheat Board and what marketing tools they wish to use.
You're telling us that the Alberta government knows what's best for farmers in that province. We often hear the expression: Ottawa knows best. Your provincial government is sending out the same message to your farmers back home.
Why would you object to a referendum on the relevance of the Canadian Wheat Board, as suggested by the majority of members on this committee? No doubt you're aware of this motion tabled by Mr. Easter. I think it's important for your farmers back home to know exactly where you stand on this issue. Why not hold a referendum?