Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I do want to set the record straight on a few things. I can assure you that I will get to the essence of the motion and why I disagree with it in a minute. I would also like to tell Mr. Easter that in my hometown, my home county, we had about 93 hog producers, 90 of which went out of business under his watch. So I do refute his sincerity when it comes to our producers.
I'm glad he brought up his....
Well, you can swear all you want in the committee room, Mr. Easter, but that doesn't make your argument any better.
I would like to look at his “Empowering Canadian Farmers” report that he did in 2005. I would like to quote page 5, where he said “Farmers want to be empowered in the marketplace.” He was for it before he was against it.
He also said--and this is page 31, if you'd like to follow along--“That governments consult primary producers and their representatives in the design and review of farm support programs.” Our minister has done that. Then he said “That governments evaluate the cost impact of new regulations and policies on producers.” Our minister has done that and continues to do that. Actually, Mr. Chair, our minister was in your riding and several ridings all across this country consulting producers on the impact.
I'm now on page 32: “That the federal government improve Canada's pesticide licensing process and specifically the performance of...(PMRA).” Our minister has done that.
Next, “Those Canadians governments pursue bilateral and regional trade agreements to provide more targeted market access for Canadian products.” Apparently, once again, he was for this before; he is now against it.
Then, “That governments preserve and enhance research into primary agriculture, particularly at the regional level, and that research results be released to producers in a timely manner.” Our minister has done that. Once again, he was for it before he started voted against all these things.
The next one, “That governments support research and funding for niche markets....” Our minister has done that.
Next, “That governments undertake campaigns to educate citizens about the benefits provided to the country by Canadian agriculture.” Our government undertakes these campaigns and Mr. Easter tries to make headlines by calling them partisan.