Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity to address the Minister of Finance. I had no idea that he could speak so eloquently about farming.
Speaking for the minister of agriculture, the Minister of Finance stated earlier that I supported a reduction in farm subsidies. Given the enormous upheavals that the agricultural sector in Quebec and in Canada is currently experiencing, I would never have said such a thing quite the contrary.
The government should continue to support the agricultural sector and perhaps even increase that level of support, not only to the primary sector but to the processing sector as well so as to improve the industry's current performance and prepare it to face the challenge of global competition.
When we speak of the government's lack of action, here is what we are talking about. Since 1986 and as far back as 1982, when I was working for the federal Department of Agriculture, there has been a great deal of discussion, at the federal level at least, with the provinces and farmers.
Since 1986 discussions have involved the Conservatives primarily. The current Minister of Finance says that he deplores the fact that no decision is ever taken. Why is that? Because the very same thing is happening today. Senior officials want to implement agricultural policies across the board and coast to coast. I have often questioned the minister of agriculture about income security programs and the negotiations currently taking place between his officials and market growers. His answer has been to leave everything in the capable hands of his officials whose job it is to deal with these matters.
My question, therefore, is to the minister of agriculture. When will real policies be drafted to give Canadian farmers the ability to meet the challenge of global markets and when will the government show some backbone in the face of constant trade dispute threats from the Americans, as is presently the case with respect to tariffs on Canadian durum wheat?