Mr. Speaker, I listened to the hon. member's speech across the way. I have actually been listening to his rhetoric for the last six years and not much has changed.
The Reform stated in its 1998 Blue Sheet-Principles & Policies of The Reform Party of Canada that it was going to a phased reduction and elimination of all subsidies and support programs.
The taxpayers' budget of 1995 called for $640 million to be saved by downsizing the Departments of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Industry, Fisheries and Oceans, and Natural Resources. It also called for a further reduction of $690 million to be saved by cutting other regional and sector specific funding through the Departments of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Environment and Industry. It even asked for an additional $1 billion in savings by cutting 15% from the overhead cost of all departments in the government.
I really have to ask where the member is coming from. I think he is talking through his hat. We at least, on this side of the House, have taken a serious approach. He is talking about renting his land out. I am an active farmer. I happen to be in supply management, which is one of the things the hon. member says he wants to do away with.