Mr. Speaker, in fact the minister promised an 18% reduction. What producers have received is actually less than 2%.
Most of the money has obviously gone to the railways and the grain companies. It is a sad commentary, not only on their commitment but on the commitment of the government, that there has not been more assistance for the producers. Railway profits last year of $1.47 billion exceeded all the net farm income for prairie producers.
Given all this, how can the minister justify the 3.5% increase in the grain transportation rates which will come into effect on August 1?