Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman in asking the question is overlooking the impact of the soon to be implemented General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and particularly the new World Trade Organization which brings to bear some important disciplines in the world on the use of export subsidies.
We will insist that other countries around the world adhere to their obligations under the new GATT. That will mean for example that countries like the United States will for the first time in a long time have to bring down some of its export subsidies such as the export enhancement program.
While we expect every other country in the world to abide by their obligations, Canada must abide by those same obligations. Within the terms of the new GATT agreement a portion of the Western Grain Transportation Act is defined as an export subsidy. In those circumstances we can do one of two things. We can either change the Western Grain Transportation Act so it no longer falls within the definition of an export subsidy or we can leave it the way it is and live within those new highly restrictive disciplines.
Obviously it is to the advantage of western farmers to change the Western Grain Transportation Act rather than suffer the tough disciplines under the new World Trade Organization.