Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that we are resuming this debate.
When I left off, I was sharing about the size of my riding of Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan and that it is five square kilometres larger than Switzerland.
It is truly blessed with an abundance of potash, which is fertilizer; railway lines that take goods to market; and a first-class military base that trains the next generation of pilots. As well, it is the home of the world-famous Snowbirds air demonstration team.
It is also home to the fertile lands that are considered the breadbasket of Canada. We cannot have a breadbasket without farming. Agriculture is very important in our riding. The challenges and extra costs facing agriculture producers have been piled on by the Liberal government. Costs are then passed on to consumers.
I would like to share a broad overview of what Canada's agriculture sector is facing. Statistics Canada reported that the net income for Canadian farmers fell by 25.9% in 2024. This was the largest percentage decrease realized in net income since 2018. Total farm operating expenses rose 2.4% in 2024. For the second consecutive year, interest expenses led the gain in total farming operating expenses, which are up 28.6% in 2024 from the previous year.
In mid-2024, the Bank of Canada began cutting its key interest rate after over two years of hikes. This means producers took on more debt, driving up interest expenses. Farm debt rose 14.1% in 2024, the largest annual increase since 1981. In Saskatchewan, the total farm net income was down over 36%.
I am sure everyone here is aware of the crisis facing our canola sector. My riding of Moose Jaw—Lake Centre—Lanigan is one of the largest canola-producing areas in Canada. Therefore, members can understand the frustration I heard when China announced massive tariffs over the summer. Beijing's tariffs of over 75% on canola seed are yet another unjustified attack on our farmers. The latest moves by China, which comes on top of the 100% tariffs on canola meal and oil, peas, pork and seafood products, effectively locked our producers out of its market. These punitive measures will disrupt Canada's canola exports to China, which totalled $5 billion in 2024. This, on top of yet another year of low rainfall across Saskatchewan, hurts our farmers.
A constituent of mine, Dave Marzolf, said that he still needs to bring his canola and wheat in and that it will not be a bumper crop. As usual, he cannot control the weather and “and I can't control political incompetence”. This is in reference to the Liberal government and has been quoted in the media.
The producers I have spoken to are not happy with the government's response. The Liberals have simply offered more loans.
Rob Stone, another producer in my riding, said, “It doesn't match up. You're dealing with a long-term tariff issue with some short-term support.... It's a program that helps provide some cash flow to our farm, but I have larger concerns about: how do we pay this debt back.” Canola producers simply want to be able to sell their product.
Also, I said China imported nearly 5 billion dollars' worth of canola seed, oil and meal in 2024. The country the Prime Minister is visiting so regularly to sign fake agreements with represents a small fraction of that. I will never say that Canada should not sign trade agreements, mostly because the Harper government did all the heavy lifting on the agreements that Justin Trudeau took credit for, but no new agreement is going to replace the Chinese canola market overnight.
I mentioned that Saskatchewan has endured another summer of low rainfall. I spoke to a rancher yesterday from the Lloydminster area. He grows corn as silage to feed his cattle. He is facing the prospect of producing a fraction of what he usually produces after receiving only a few inches of rain this year.
Our farmers are facing tariffs, and they are facing an unfair Liberal government that taxes them, increases their costs and makes it harder for them to produce. They are facing challenges from all sides. I am happy Canada has decided to invest in the port of Churchill. This is a big win for the region of Canada's north. However, the amount of agricultural food Canada exports to Asia through the port of Vancouver is irreplaceable.
I recently spoke with some producers of potash, another industry that is great in my riding and is a Canadian leader, who explained the significant work needed to be done on the rail corridor to the port of Vancouver. Too often, producers of all kinds who are trying to export their products to the market in Asia are faced with bottlenecks and other issues delaying their shipments. If Canada wants to be seen as a reliable trading partner, our rail and port infrastructure needs significant investment.
On top of that, the Liberal government has to realize that Canada is the breadbasket of the world, and in order to be that breadbasket, we need to help our farmers, not hinder them.
