Mr. Speaker, the agriculture minister talks about his $1.5 billion. That figure really means nothing to farmers. The reality is that after more than a year since the minister promised quick action on the issue—and I remember him calling for quick action—only $72 million has been paid out in Saskatchewan, the province that was supposed to receive a bulk of the money.
The minister implies that it must be because farmers are not bright enough to apply for it or something. He implies that if farmers applied for it they would get it. He should give a little more credit to the farmers in western Canada. If he would understand farmers at all in western Canada he would know that they are well-educated people. They are very intelligent, hard working and they understand business. The minister gives no indication that he understands any of that.