Mr. Speaker, Dr. Gordon Barnhart, a former clerk of the Saskatchewan legislature, recently published a book on the history of Saskatchewan's first premier, Walter Scott. Throughout that book he made references to agriculture, one which I will quote: “If agriculture prospers, so will this land”. He was referring mainly to the new province of Alberta, but it is also true if we look at the history of Saskatchewan in particular. If agriculture prospers, so does the province.
The hon. member alluded in his speech to the fact that agriculture has been going down. All he has to do is take one journey through my constituency. It is so evident what is happening: agriculture and the people are in a desperate situation. I have received well over 1,000 desperate calls.
I wonder if the Leader of the Opposition could agree with the premise that we must prosper in agriculture if we are going to be a viable community.