Mr. Speaker, in yesterday's throne speech Canadian farmers were hoping to hear a federal vision for agriculture. Instead they were told to move beyond crisis management and find better uses for their land. They were hoping to hear a commitment to support farm families and to vigorously fight the foreign subsidies that have suppressed grain prices and oppressed the family farm.
Are farmers surprised to have been ignored by the government yet again? No, they expected it.
Nick Parsons, from Farmington, B.C. in my riding, has once again brought his combine, Prairie Belle, to Parliament Hill seeking fairness for Canadian farm families. Last year in a private meeting, the Prime Minister assured Nick that the government was doing all it could for western farmers. Yet when the government had the chance to offer some hope to farm families in the throne speech, it was not a priority.
The Liberals' agricultural legacy of inaction and indifference is a disgrace. Yesterday's throne speech provided the latest evidence of why farmers are now on the endangered species list.