Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Wheat Board has asked the federal government to intervene in the disastrous grain movement situation in Canada, which is estimated to cost Canadian farmers at least $65 million in lost revenues and demurrage costs. We agree with the Canadian Wheat Board and would add that government policies such as privatizing CN Rail, deregulating the rail industry, changing the car allocation policy, allowing the abandonment of rail lines and condoning inappropriate downsizing within the railways have all contributed to this problem that keeps grain from moving to the ports.
My question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Does he not agree that the federal government has a responsibility
and the authority that is required to get the railways to make grain a priority, and that he should use the full extent of his authority to get that grain moving again?