Mr. Speaker, I rise under Standing Order 52(2) to seek leave to propose an emergency debate to address the deepening financial crisis that is affecting far too many Canadian farm families.
I remind the House that we had an emergency debate on this crisis on November 30, 1998. However, since then the crisis has only deepened in its intensity. Last November the agriculture minister predicted that as bad as 1998 was for farmers, in particular those in western Canada, particularly Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the forecast for 1999 was even worse. Unfortunately, that prediction has been realized.
Spring flooding has compounded the situation. Those that escaped the devastation of rising waters continue to be battered by record low commodity prices and highly subsidized competition from producers in the U.S. and Europe.
Without immediate and effective help, up to half of the farmers in western Canada could be out of business by next year. Bankruptcies on the prairies are already up 24%. Statistics Canada reports of the situation in Saskatchewan this year indicate that take-home farm incomes are forecast to be the worst in more than 70 years.
I believe that an emergency debate is required in order to urge the government to address this crisis. Parliament has the responsibility to find long term solutions. Mr. Speaker, I would urge you, respectfully, to consider an emergency debate in an immediate and timely fashion.