Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of the constituents of Okanagan—Coquihalla to express my concerns over this Liberal government's double standard when it comes to the issue of federal aid for Canadian farmers.
The 1997 fruit growers in Okanagan and Similkameen valleys were devastated by hail and other weather related disasters. The B.C. government sought help for the farmers affected by these disasters through a cost sharing program with the federal government like the new B.C. whole farm insurance program. This government continues to stonewall.
After the central Canada ice storm it took less than a month for the federal government to give aid to the maple syrup producers. Orchardists in British Columbia have been waiting almost a year.
The rules determining which farmers qualify for federal disaster relief assistance should be the same for all Canadians and should not be based on what part of the country they live in. The Liberal government must end this double standard today and announce financial aid for B.C. fruit growers.