Madam Speaker, my hon. friend talked about the future as being frightening. I would certainly agree with him. The future is extremely frightening for Quebec farmers if they listen to the misinformation which I heard coming from the other side relative to what would happen if Quebec separates.
He is absolutely right in saying that supply management has been the only viable income system for farmers. He should admit up front that this viable income system will be put in jeopardy should Quebec move toward separation. That supply management system is one of the benefits Quebec farmers have gained from being a part of Canadian federation.
While I am on my feet, I might as well ask a question about my concern with the resolution put forward by hon. members opposite. They are leaving the impression that converting the grain transportation subsidies into direct subsidies to western farmers is an advantage at the expense of Quebec. Nothing could be further from the truth.
As a government, we have admitted that changing the WGTA, which has been the cornerstone of agricultural policy in western Canada, is extremely hurtful to western farmers. The fact of the matter is that farmers in Quebec got off relatively lightly with the budget as compared to those in the west.
How does the member opposite explain to farmers in Quebec that they are not going to lose the supply management system should they move to separation? Is he not willing to admit that Canada has been extremely good to farmers in Quebec over the last century and in fact the budget has really been relatively light in targeting Quebec farmers?