Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by saying that all the motions before us today were introduced by the Canadian Alliance. The member for Cypress Hills—Grasslands has modified them slightly but they are in essence the same motions that were presented during clause by clause study of the bill in committee.
Motion No. 1 would remove the words “family farm” which are already in the bill. I know members of the House and a lot of people across Canada have different definitions of what constitutes a family farm.
I did not grow up on a farm but my family and I have a lot of friends living on farms. I have to say that there are different definitions, as stated, of what constitutes a family farm. The PC Party believes that it is important for family farms to be recognized specifically in the mandate of the FCC.
It is the family farm and primary production that should be the primary focus of the FCC's activities, not simply farming operations in general terms. By eliminating family farms from the clause, we strongly feel that it is a step backward and actually does a disservice to family farms across Canada. Not one of us would be sitting here today, not the young pages nor anyone else, if we did not have our farmers who produce the carrots, potatoes, vegetables, milk and meat that we need to survive. These are produced by our farmers and their families from generation to generation. The farm is important.
The president of the FCC stated in committee that discussions were held with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture on the wording of the bill and that ultimately the CFA was satisfied. He also said that the FCC took very seriously the fact that primary production was its focus.
That being said, the PC Party will not be supporting the motion. It is very important that family farms be referred to in the bill. There is no question about that.
When I went out west in 1993, I met with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. We had a discussion at that time that really shocked me. Where I come from, a large city in the province of New Brunswick and the greatest city in the east, the farmers and the people are hurting. When we forget about the family farm by removing it from the bill, we create a major problem. That will only be the first change and, before we know it, the needs of the farmers will not be addressed.
Motion No. 2 speaks to the issue of competition. I find it rather difficult to believe that the Canadian Alliance has actually introduced this motion. It is not only restrictive and limiting to the FCC's activities but it speaks against the idea of competition. It is another Canadian Alliance policy shift. Now it seems it does not support open competition.
We have to have open competition because that is when we get the best prices. The FCC should be allowed to compete with all other financial institutions. Competition is healthy and no matter whether it is, farmers, car dealers or whatever is being sold, competition is good.
The mandate of the FCC has been expanded since its creation and it is no longer a lender of last resort, nor should it be. It has tailored its operations to the agriculture and agribusiness community.
If commercial banks want to enter those areas they are welcome to do so. The competition will only benefit farmers in the end. I have to say that the PC Party will therefore not be supporting this motion either.
Motion No. 3 speaks to the issue of farmland ownership. Once again this matter was discussed during the committee's deliberations. This amendment could place limitations on FCC activities.
I will use the example of young farmers and the opportunity for an intergenerational transfer of farms. It does not matter whether we live in rural areas or in cities, towns or villages. Parents who own their home, their car, a business or a lot want to leave them to their children.
In this case the farm is their home, their business. That is the way it is. They want to leave it to the family. It is the family farm that they want to pass from generation to generation. This was discussed during the committee's deliberations. This amendment would place limitations on that. People should be allowed to acquire land directly from family members. They would lease it over a long period of time and eventually acquire ownership. If this amendment's time limit were imposed it could prevent this from happening.
That being said, the president of the FCC stated in committee that he would be quite comfortable with a five year limit, which was consistent with the remarks he made at the previous committee meetings. The average time for land disposal at the FCC is actually about eight months, which allows for more than enough time set out in this amendment. The PC Party will support this amendment.
I have to say that if members take a look at FCC and how long it has been in place, they will see it has been there to work for the farmers, to make sure that the farmers are indeed viable and that their farms will be there for their children and for all of us. We must bring forth legislation that is good for the farmers. The farmers know what is good for them and when they say it is good for them, then it is good for us. That is why we have to work with the farmers.
During the first 34 years of FCC and the Farm Credit Act there were many evolutions and many changes had to take place. The farmers came forward and spoke about it. I have to say that I have major concerns about these motions, as do my colleagues and my colleague who sits on the committee.
On behalf of my colleagues in the PC Party I want to state that we are addressing these concerns. We hope the House will take our concerns under advisement. Perhaps there will be amendments so that we can support all the motions, but as it stands now we cannot do that.