Madam Speaker, I think some of the frustration of my colleagues was over the fact that they thought when an opposition party put forward a motion on a supply day they might have been given the courtesy to question the minister first.
However, I agree with the minister's comments about going around in circles. Farmers have been going around in circles over these issues for a long time. The reason this is happening is simply because of the inaction on the part of governments to correct the problem, which is to reform our marketing system.
The minister went to great lengths to laud the qualifications of the members on marketing panel, and I am not going to challenge or dispute those remarks.
However, I question whether we will see much or any new material put on the table as a result of their deliberations. It would surprise me if they did not recommend a change in the structure of the board. If they do not do that, they have completely misread the industry. I suspect they would suggest some freedom in the domestic market if not broader.
I wonder why the minister went to great lengths to quote one person, Mr. Beswick, but seemed to ignore the polling results and the surveys and plebiscites I mentioned in my presentation which are as high as 66 per cent in Alberta and 58 per cent in Saskatchewan in favour of changes to the board and dual marketing. Why did the minister not address the concerns of the tens of thousands rather than the praises of one?
I would like an answer to the two fundamental questions I ask in my speech. First, does the minister believe dual marketing is impossible? He has talked about the philosophy of it and what he hears. I have said what I believe. I would like to hear what he believes.
Second, does the minister believe that a farmer should not have the right to sell his or her wheat or barley either to a pooled return account through the board or individually on a cash sale inside or outside the board? I would like to know his personal stand on those two issues. It is very important to the debate.