Madam Speaker, I too am in support of the motions put forward by the member for Brandon—Souris. I think this has been one of the most controversial parts of the bill.
The insurance program for special crops producers in Bill C-26 will be financed by producers from a levy or check-off on all crops delivered to the buyers and dealers. The government says this insurance program is voluntary.
As we have heard and as is clear, that is not quite true. Farmers have to pay a levy up front and at the end of the year according to the government's plan, they can apply to get their money back. This is rather like the negative option billing process put forward by the cable television suppliers. We know that generated a consumer revolt. People simply do not want these kinds of procedures in order to ensure they have insurance coverage should they want it.
What we heard at the agriculture committee when Bill C-26 was discussed was many producer groups asking that the insurance plan be made voluntary. They said that farmers would not appreciate another check-off, that they would not appreciate the paperwork necessary to get their money back at the end of the year.
A motion was put at committee that the plan be made voluntary but government members voted it down.
This is a difficult position to be in. The main trust of the bill is something we support but this managing nature is something we do not support. As a result, New Democrat members will support the motions put forward by the member for Brandon—Souris, the effect of which would provide producers with a choice in their payment of the insurance levy. As I have said, this is what producers through their commodity organizations have requested.
Government members at the hearings of the agriculture committee had no solid explanation as to why this plan should be made mandatory and had no explanation as to why that was a better choice than making it voluntary. We have yet to hear arguments as to why having the plan voluntary would not work effectively, especially since it is what producers want.
The motions put forward by the member for Brandon—Souris are asking that the right thing be done by producers. I hope government members will vote in support of those motions unless we hear good, solid explanations as to why the voluntary nature of the plan which growers want is something that will not work. To date we have heard nothing and I doubt we ever will. Therefore I urge members to vote in favour of these amendments.