Mr. Speaker, I certainly listened to the parliamentary secretary's comments regarding the wheat board. He spoke so eloquently of this board and all the things that were accomplished through it that I wonder if we are even talking about the same board that our supply motion refers to.
I would like to list some facts. The member stated clearly that the board could guarantee large scale delivery to all its customers. Then the member also pointed out that farmers would get the best possible prices through the board.
If the member recalls correctly, and he should since he is parliamentary secretary to the agriculture minister, he would look at the first point here, the wheat board's ability to guarantee large scale delivery. I do not believe that is quite true.
Last fall the board had to apologize to Japan for its inability to deliver contracted barley. In April the wheat board then reneged on half of the future barley purchases promised to farmers. Without that sale to Japan, the grain was no longer needed. There was a slap in the face to the farmers as well as an inability to deliver to Japan.
Another inaccuracy from the parliamentary secretary is to deliver the best prices to farmers. Barley prices in the United States are American $4.85. The same barley through the board in Canada is $2.35. For durum the Canadian price offered stateside is $8.50 and the board is offering between $4 and $4.50.
I would like the parliamentary secretary to address those discrepancies as he points out that the board is delivering when in fact it is not.