Bob Speller

[Supply, November 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows that the minister of agriculture called the meeting with his representatives and with 34 different commodity groups in Ottawa. The minister has recently had meetings in Winnipeg. He will have meetings across the country in terms of consulting with Canadian farmers and all Canadians on the future of the WTO negotiations.

This meeting was called in Ottawa. Different groups are coming here and they are coming, I know, with the knowledge that the minister of agriculture will listen to their concerns and that he will work with them to come up with a solution to this crisis.

The minister has always indicated, in fact he has indicated in the House many times, his willingness to look at the situation. He said that NISA is only a short term solution and that there needs to be more fundamental change so that farmers in this country can farm with the knowledge that these crises, these major shifts in commodity prices, will not hurt them in the future.

The minister of agriculture, as members know, has been a farmer for many years. He listens very closely to the views of farmers. I know he is greatly concerned about this crisis and will work with the farmers, the provincial ministers of agriculture, the premiers and whoever else wants to discuss and resolve this situation.

[Supply, November 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I had hoped when I spoke that my speech would not become some sort of partisan attack on me or on our government. I could definitely get partisan in the House but I know a solution to this will not be found in trading barbs across the House.

A solution to this will be found in all people across the country coming together and saying we need to have a united front, all different commodities no matter if it is pork, dairy, supply managed or grains and oilseeds.

I hope that united front comes soon. I call on members across the way not to be partisan and to work with the government in finding a solution.

[Supply, November 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I can stand in my place today on behalf of the constituents in Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant, particularly the farming community, and say that our hearts go out to the many farmers and their families suffering through this crisis which is one that is not of their own making. The opposition would have us believe through its motion that this crisis, which it is, was made primarily because of unfair subsidies and unfair trading practices of other countries. I think that does a disservice to the Canadian people. They would agree that unfair subsidies and unfair practices are a problem. They would agree that Canadian trade representatives around the world are fighting on behalf of not only Canadian farmers but Canadian businesses in this area and are doing an admirable job. Under the WTO last time we came out with a good deal for Canada, a deal which was supported by all the commodities across this country, farm commodities, and I think the opposition would agree with that.

Because of the situation in the world, the financial crisis in Russia, the Asian financial crisis, the problems in Latin America and the fact that a lot of countries around the world told their producers to get into pork, for instance, we have had a situation where there are a lot of these commodities on the market. This is the problem we need to address.

We can deal with the trade situation. We have people in place and we are working at that. How do we deal with some of the fundamental problems? I want to say to the Canadian people that this is a crisis, particularly for those in urban areas. Some people may be watching today and saying what are these farmers complaining about, they have a good life. We do in the rural areas but there are times, because of the nature of the world and because of trade, when beyond our control situations hit us. This is one of those times.

I have been here for 10 years. When the Progressive Conservative government was in and then when we came in in 1993 and took government we debated on how we deal with the WTO and the trading rules. We signed an agreement in 1993. Part of that was to deal with the situation of farm income. So we brought in NISA. I agree with those who say that NISA was never made for this situation. There was always an intention under the third line of defence to have something there for an emergency situation. Governments at both levels and the farm leadership failed in getting that through. I think we failed in the House in making sure that aspect did not go through.

I think we can rectify that if all the parties can come together and agree that we need to deal with an emergency situation. Whether it be tax cuts, like the opposition says which has some merit, and certainly we on this side have moved over the last number of budgets to cut taxes directly, or whether it be some sort of relief that would come in to these farmers or some sort of payment is debatable. We need to agree first that something definitely is needed and that we need to take action. In listening to the debate, I think we could probably get all members in the House to agree to that. It is a question of what and how we go about doing it.

I suggest that the farm leadership in the provinces and the minister when he meets with it in a couple of days come up with an emergency package to deal with the situation. I call on all members to support it.

This is not simply a problem of western Canada. Granted, places in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island will feel the heat.

I have today in the gallery a constituent, Karen Scott from Ontario, a pork producer and representative of the Brant Federation of Agriculture, who can tell members directly the impact this crisis has had on the pork industry.

I can find people all across Ontario, through Quebec, through the maritimes. This is a national problem and it takes national leadership and all the premiers.

In 1988 when we had this other crisis we had the premiers coming to Ottawa. I have not seen them yet. They came to Ottawa to lobby. I encourage them to get away from their houses within the next week and come to Ottawa to talk to the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers and let them know exactly how this crisis is impacting them.

I think there is a solution. I call on all members to join with me in working to find that solution. I can say directly that Canadian farmers are good farmers. We are fair traders. We need the help of all Canadians in this situation.

[Supply, November 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the parliamentary secretary for his words today.

I note that opposition members keep trying to suggest this is somehow a western Canadian problem. As usual they always try to pit the west against the east.

The hon. member is from Prince Edward Island which is also one of the hardest hit areas in Canada. I wonder if the hon. member can bring us up to date as to the situation in his home province which I know he is very concerned about.

[Supply, November 3rd, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I have not spoken on this issue yet and I hope to do a five minute but I do want to ask the hon. member a question. He said his party has a record of stating it would support Canadian farmers.

The hon. member should know that in the last election, under the famous Tory blue book, the Tories wanted to take $600 million out of the ministry of agriculture. It says: “The first is to merge four existing federal departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food, Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, and Natural Resources. A Jean Charest government will continue to expand the practice of cost recovery. With the trend of these negotiations, a Jean Charest government will be moving to reduce and eventually eliminate all farm subsidies. Since agricultural subsidy programs will inevitably be phased out around the world, there is a distinct advantage to Canadian farmers of making this transition as soon as possible”.

I want to ask the hon. member how he can—

[Steel Industry, October 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, I can give these assurance.

NAFTA provides protection to those Canadian steel producers which export to the United States.

At the moment we do not know if the United States steel industry will petition, but if it does we know from NAFTA that Canada is excluded from safeguard action as long as it is not a substantial contributor to the serious injury.

Our steel industry is a good steel industry and we are fair traders. We will continue to protect it.

[Trade, October 30th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government is presently in consultations with the provinces and all industry groups trying to put together a united stand to take into the new round of the WTO.

As the member knows, that round will be coming up in 1999. We will be working with the provinces and all the industries to make sure that we have a very strong position to put forward at that time.

[International Trade, October 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in fact the hon. member is right. Trade relations between Ireland and Canada are excellent.

In 1997, over 1996 figures, trade increased some 50%, reaching $1.1 billion. High tech and other finished products are the primary trade products, but there is room in many other areas.

I might add that Canada values its historic ties with Ireland and values Ireland as a very important trading partner.

[Agriculture, October 29th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, in fact that is not right. As a government we have begun consultations with all of our farmers across the country to make sure that we have a very strong independent position when we go to the new talks coming up.

The hon. member should know coming from western Canada that the Canadian government has well represented the farmers of western Canada on the trade front.

[Interparliamentary Delegations, October 28th, 1998]

Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 34 I have the honour to present to the House a report from the Canadian branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association concerning the CPA-U.K. branch parliamentary visit which took place May 6 to 22, 1998; the 23rd conference of the Caribbean and the Americas, the Atlantic region, held in Kingston, Jamaica, July 20 to 25, 1998; and the 37th conference of the Canadian region held in Toronto July 18 to 24, 1998.