Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to have a moment to respond to the member. He quoted me a number of times on one particular letter I read. I could read to him a hundred letters.
I attended hearings with the Minister of Labour in Vancouver. I heard directly from farmers. Some of them had tears in their eyes saying to me please pass this legislation, it is important legislation for them.
It is hard for me to understand the member when he says he is for the people, that he wants to protect them. These are the grassroots people, the farmers in his community. I am taken aback by how callously he throws one letter aside. I am puzzled by that. They are the very people he says he wants to protect.
I have an excerpt from another letter. This one is from a farmer in the hon. member's area: “Grain has been used by various groups as a political football in order to achieve their own ends. This revision shows recognition on the part of government of the importance of a consistent and reliable supply of grain to our international customers. I urge your support for the bill and in particular section 87.7”.
I can only say to this House these are the things farmers are telling me. When I am urged by farmers that this is an important point for them, I think we must respond. As the government we are trying to do that.
The hon. member did say that the other letter I referred to said it was an important first step. Sometimes we have to walk before we run. That is what we are trying to do, but we are trying to do it with balance and with care. We believe this is a good bill.