Mr. Speaker, I will split my time with my parliamentary secretary.
There is no question we are all aware and many more Canadians are aware this week and in the last number of days of the tremendous anxiety in the farm community in Canada today, particularly among those farmers who are involved in the hog and grain sectors.
I have spent my lifetime in the agriculture and agri-food industry. I know the situation that too many Canadian farmers are in today. I can tell the House in all sincerity that I have never worked harder on any issue than I have on this and will continue to do so. I appreciate the support of my colleagues in cabinet, my counterparts in the provinces, farmers themselves, the farm organizations, my colleagues on this side of the House and all members on this issue.
We need to come up with a program, some support and the most effective solution that we can to meet the needs of the agricultural community and the country as a whole.
I also thank all my colleagues in the House for continuing to bring this issue to the attention of all Canadians. Agriculture producers are hardworking people. They represent one of the pillars of our economy.
However, at times I think many Canadians who live in urban areas forget just how important the agricultural industry is. I thank the previous speaker for reading again into the House some comments I made along that line some years ago.
A motion like this can be very helpful in informing the public about the serious situation our farmers presently face. I am certainly well aware of the struggle of some producers and how serious that struggle is right now. I have certainly met with a lot of farmers, as I said, farm organizations, provincial colleagues and I could go on. I have been talking with them across the country from coast to coast a great deal over the last number of days and weeks.
I know how desperate too many producers are. They fear for their future and for their ability to provide for their families.
Beyond my concern about their personal circumstances, I am also very concerned about what this current situation will do to an industry that has been very robust, one that has taken calculated risks and has made a significant contribution to the economic growth of Canada in the past several years.
Let us not forget this industry is responsible for more than 8% of the gross domestic product. It has made a tremendous contribution to the restoration of the country's public finances. Our farmers have been very willing to take risks. We have all been the better for that. They jumped into the export markets feet first. That helped to fuel the growth of our national economy.
It concerns me that if producers feel they cannot count on us in their time need they will be less willing to take those risks in the future. Let me assure members that would have a negative impact on all of us. The federal and provincial governments have provided tools to help farmers manage the risks they have taken. We want those tools to be used.
At the same time I know in talking to farmers and provincial governments that these existing tools will not be enough to meet the needs of certain producers especially in the difficult times and circumstances right now. I am very concerned that we offer the necessary support to those producers over the short term so that efficient and productive farmers are not sacrificed because of global market conditions that are no fault of their own.
I know there are a number of members opposite who are pounding away on the need to do something immediately. I can tell members we are working as quickly as possible to do that. As everyone is aware, I have discussed this very thoroughly with my colleagues in cabinet. They understand the severity of the situation and are currently helping me to determine how best to act.
We have taken action to make sure farmers are able to use the tools already in place while we are mapping out the best course of action ahead. We put in place a process for interim withdrawal provisions so producers could call on their NISA accounts before the end of the tax year. We took measures to make sure producers are well aware of the advance payments for crops program to help deal with their cashflow issue at the present time.
Meanwhile I met with farm organizations and provincial representatives. We agreed to work together to look at short term options and accelerate the longer term review being carried out by the safety net advisory committee. Since then I have received the report of that committee. I have raised it with members of cabinet. We are continuing to put together the information we need to come up with a program that is effective and equitable and that does not undermine the investments we have already made.
I have also talked to input suppliers such as the Canadian Fertilizer Institute which I met with a little over a week ago. Last Friday I met with the Royal Bank. I will be meeting with other financial institutions to make sure they understand the situation our farmers are facing. I am taking every opportunity to encourage everyone who deals with farmers to act with compassion and to work with producers to manage the payment schedules in the best way possible during these tough times.
Tomorrow I plan to speak to representatives of the U.S. agricultural industry in Washington to try to convince them of the need to call a halt to the subsidy war that is again revving up. It is clear to me and I know to members on the opposite side that getting into another bidding war with the Europeans and the Americans like the one we had in the 1980s will only hurt everyone.
That is why even in the midst of the current income problems we need to continue working to formulate a strong position to go into the next round of the world trade negotiations. In the meantime I will be seeking the collaboration of provinces, the sector and my cabinet colleagues. With the support of the members opposite, I am putting all my energy into coming up with viable actions to help alleviate the burden on Canadian producers.
My caucus colleagues are sparing no efforts pointing out to me the necessity of addressing this issue. This government wants to do the best we can for our farmers. We are also aware of the need to best what we can do best for all Canadians. Supporting an industry as significant as agriculture is what is good for Canadians. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. It is now a matter to determine what we can afford to do and how we can shape our assistance to make sure it helps those most in need. There is also a need to talk to the provincial ministers to work out some of the details. I am counting on the provinces to do their part. The bottom line is that the Canadian agriculture industry deserves the support of all of us in these difficult times.
I consider it an honour to represent Canadian farmers and I take that responsibility very seriously. I can pledge to this House and to the farmers across this country that I will do everything in my power to make sure farmers get the support they need.