Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a pleasure to speak on the amendments put forward by the Canadian Alliance to Bill C-25, an act to amend the Farm Credit Corporation Act.
Motion No. 3 reads:
That Bill C-25, in Clause 5, be amended by adding after line 44 on page 2 the following:
“(f.4.1.) dispose of farmland acquired by it, provided that the disposal is at fair market value and is done as quickly as possible, and in any case no longer than five years, after the acquisition.”
The Canadian Alliance is concerned that Bill C-25 would allow the Farm Credit Corporation to become a significant landholder. We are seeing that especially in the province of Saskatchewan. The amendment is designed to ensure that the federal government does not become a major holder of Canadian farmland and does not unduly influence the market price of land.
I have spoken to many farmers who have told me that the Farm Credit Corporation has had an effect on farmland prices. The hon. parliamentary secretary can come to Saskatchewan and visit my riding to see the truth.