Mr. Speaker, Canadian livestock producers are facing their worst crisis in 30 years but what is the Liberal government doing about it? Very little. And what it is doing is not helping much.
The Conservative Party has stepped in to do the job that the government should be doing, by tabling a plan. The short term plan involves $900 million to be targeted to cattlemen and other affected livestock producers. This will be delivered through existing programs, plus a mature livestock rationalization program and borrowing aid.
The mid-term plan includes solving the North American trade problem, establishing testing regimes for all non-North American markets and establishing integrated North American rules on processing. It also includes educational and promotional programs for Canadian beef.
The long term program involves becoming less dependent on the American market by developing new markets.
This plan will cost a billion dollars but it will save a multibillion dollar annual livestock industry.
Our cattlemen deserve this protection.