Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's remarks. Today's motion does not really deal with research and development in Canada, but with the department of agriculture's lack of spine, its lack of leadership, and the lack of direction in agriculture.
It is quite true that in the R and D sector, scientists across Canada are making all kinds of discoveries, and that is good. Developments regarding new varieties of wheat and seeds are desirable. As a matter of fact, we would like the government to find more funds to support R and D. As the hon. member mentioned, the opening of new markets depends first and foremost on R and D.
The government is lacking initiative even when it comes to R and D, the member admitted it himself; investments in that area have been frozen. If it really had the interests of farmers at heart, the government could at leat increase its funding of R and D for agriculture. I repeat, the motion does not deal with Canadian R and D, but with the government's lack of leadership and initiative. We could give you many examples of this lack of initiative such as the negotiations with the United States for which some Liberal members tell us that the government has taken a tough stand, when we know that in fact they are completely caving in.