Evidence of meeting #42 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was wheat.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
I want to give one last question to Mr. Hubbard.
I know we had agreement by the committee beforehand, contrary to what Mr. Hubbard is saying.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Hubbard Liberal Miramichi, NB
We will look at the transcript and see how you managed the time. I'm very unhappy about the way it has gone.
I do have one closing question to the secretary.
A few years back a committee that was studying agriculture made a recommendation to the House that we have a vote on the future of the Wheat Board. Some of us around the table were members of that committee.
The trouble I have with this whole business is that the government, rather than having an open vote, has a parliamentary secretary sitting before this committee saying that he and apparently the government are opposed to the vote. Does the government have a position to have an open vote on the Wheat Board, or does it have a definite program to see that the Wheat Board is closed?
In terms of his oath of office, could the parliamentary secretary say whether he represents an open vote where farmers can decide the future of their sales, or does he promote the concept that the Wheat Board should end in terms of being the sales agent for the many farmers in western Canada?
David, from my point of view, it's simply inconceivable that you as a parliamentary secretary can sit before this committee and advocate a personal point of view rather than representing the Government of Canada.
Mr. Chair, that is a very serious matter, which we, as a committee, have to address. Can he hold his office and advocate what the answer to that vote should be?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
Clearly there are two parts to that.
On farmers in western Canada, there are a pile of them who say they don't want to vote, they want freedom. They deserve to have their voices heard. If you go to western Canada, you'll hear that.
The minister has said there's going to be a plebiscite. This plebiscite is ongoing right now. There are three questions being asked. Ballots are being returned. There is a plebiscite being held and it's going to--
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Hubbard Liberal Miramichi, NB
Mr. Chair, my difficulty is that as a parliamentary secretary he has taken a position, not on a fair vote, not on an open vote, but on what the outcome of the vote should be.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
David Anderson Conservative Cypress Hills—Grasslands, SK
I just gave you my position, which is that the plebiscite is being held. The minister decided it's going to be the plebiscite--
4:55 p.m.
Liberal
Charles Hubbard Liberal Miramichi, NB
That's not what we heard today, David. It's not what we heard today.
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative James Bezan
We agreed we would adjourn at ten minutes to five, and it's now five minutes to.
Mr. Anderson, I understand you have a plane to catch, and we are going to respect that. I wish you safe travel.
I thank you for your testimony today. We had a good discussion, for the most part. Thank you very much.
We are adjourned.