Mr. Speaker, I thank the Manitoba-Saskatchewan farm delegation for exposing the Liberal government's lack of understanding and compassion for western Canadian issues. It just goes to show that the federal government's task force on western alienation was a colossal waste of time. In fact, the Liberal government should write a how-to book on how to alienate western Canada.
Farmers are tired of the government's lack of leadership, long term vision and workable solutions for the industry. The minister of agriculture stands idle as our industry faces increasing subsidized competition, rising input costs, natural and economic disasters and an inadequate national safety program.
Canadians and our producers are waiting for the federal government to finally take notice of this vital industry and give it the respect it justly deserves.
In February 1993, the current minister of agriculture stated when he was in opposition that “GRIP and NISA have been a disappointment to the farmers and the industry”.
I think it is safe to say that most farmers today would take GRIP and NISA over the disastrous program the Liberal government created with AIDA. Most farmers would agree that AIDA should really stand for the abysmal ineffective deplorable assistance program.