Lost his last election, in 2006, with 40% of the vote.
Agriculture April 13th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, that is an absolutely erroneous type of logic that the hon. member is using. First of all, we announced $1 billion of support to Canadian producers and $1 billion of support will be delivered to Canadian producers.
How those dollars are treated in future calculations is being done in line with other programs that we have provided. Quite frankly, we have made clear to all producers exactly the terms and conditions that are being applied to these dollars.
Agriculture April 6th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the Government of Canada and the Liberal Party very much supports the supply managed system. It is a very effective system. It gives a fair return to producers and provides consumers with an assurance of supply and a quality of supply.
That is why, through the WTO negotiations, we are insisting that there has to be an appreciation and a recognition of sensitive products. Individual countries must have the flexibility to deal with those products in the ways that makes most sense for individual countries.
Agriculture and Agri-Food April 4th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, as was mentioned earlier in this House, the government last week announced a $1 billion package for Canadian producers.
Although this is a widespread program, impacting many producers, there is an emphasis in the cattle and beef sector, in the grains and oilseed sector and in the other ruminate sector. This needs to be built upon, the need to move toward transformative change, as we have done in the cattle industry with our repositioning strategy, where I was last week in international negotiations to create a level playing field through our WTO negotiations and through the parliamentary secretary making sure our producers get more out of the marketplace.
Agriculture April 4th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely ridiculous. As part of the billion dollars, substantial dollars are flowing to Quebec. As we said, specifically in terms of that plant, if it has plans to increase capacity we have programming that can assist in that respect.
Agriculture April 4th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely and totally inaccurate. Those producers in Quebec are receiving funds. Dairy producers do receive funds for part of the per head payment. In addition to that, he totally overlooked the fact that grains and oilseed producers in Quebec were in great need of a liquidity injection. This government understood that and this government delivered.
Agriculture April 4th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform the House that we were successful in entering into an agreement with Cuba, one based on science that will allow its borders to be reopened to live Canadian cattle, sheep and goats as well as to a range or beef products from cattle of any age.
This builds on success in many other countries and is part of our repositioning strategy for the cattle and beef industry so it can increase its capacity on one side and have additional markets on the other side, ensuring that it can be profitable with or without the U.S. border opening.
Agriculture March 24th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, providing access to capital to our producers is indeed important. As the member mentioned, the FIMCLA program has seen a decline in its use. It is really important over the coming months that, working with producers, we design a new, modern program that will allow for increased access to capital. In the meantime, the Government of Canada will continue to accept loans under the FIMCLA program. Of course, all guarantees will remain in force for the term of the loan.
Agriculture March 23rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, maybe it is left over from the Conservatives' convention on the weekend when they were busily on TV, but on this side of the House we are far more interested in making substantive progress than in having photo ops somewhere.
Quite frankly, the work we have done with the United States government has assisted us in having both countries look at this item in the same way.
More important, the government has provided $1.9 billion of support for the beef and cattle industry. We will continue to stand behind that industry as we move forward.
Agriculture March 23rd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, that would be an interesting observation if it did not totally forget about the facts.
The reality is on the issue of BSE, Canada and the United States have exactly the same position, that the border should be opened, that it should be opened based on science, and that the Canadian regulatory regime protects animal and public health. Both the American government and the Canadian government agree that the border should be open. We are working collectively to deal with the legal impediments that were put forward by one judge in one state.
Canada Grain Act March 11th, 2005
moved for leave to introduce Bill C-40, an act to amend the Canada Grain Act and the Canada Transportation Act.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)