Mr. Speaker, as spring approaches, many farmers in my riding are facing a crisis. Bills remain unpaid from the previous year. Payouts from CAIS have not arrived. Seed and supplies for the upcoming season need to be purchased.
How can a farmer put a crop in the ground when he is not able to purchase seed for the upcoming season?
The agricultural industry in Saskatchewan has been devastated over the past few years by factors beyond farmers' control, such as drought and frost. Farmers are expected to pay 2004 expenses with 1972 incomes.
When other industries are devastated by factors outside their control, the government has been there to bail them out. The airline industry and the tourism industry in Toronto are perfect examples of this. Is it so unreasonable to expect that agriculture would benefit from similar assistance when it is racked by factors outside its control?
The Conservative Party has urged the government to drop the cash on deposit requirements for CAIS. This will free up a large amount of cash and do much to allow farmers to pay off their debts and purchase seed for a new crop year.
I urge the government to move quickly on a plan before the spring seeding. Do what is right to help save rural Saskatchewan.