Mr. Speaker, this past Wednesday night farmers in the Bengough area of Saskatchewan jammed a community hall to discuss the growing farm income crisis. This meeting attracted much media attention, a portion of which was aired last night on CBC As It Happens .
These proud prairie people are bending under an ever increasing load of provincial and federal taxes, particularly the hidden taxes on fuel, fertilizer and farm machinery, not to mention escalating property taxes. Family relations as well as community relations are approaching the end of their tolerance and patience. Many of the people in our communities have already given up and moved out.
Farmers told visiting politicians that they cannot survive under present conditions. They also expressed their feelings stating that the federal government and—