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Agriculture March 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, given that this new tactic on the part of American producers is likely to further delay the partial reopening of the border, has the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food planned to implement an aid package that takes into account not only cattle producers, but also the dairy producers affected by the slump in prices, and cull prices in particular?
Agriculture March 7th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, the American market was supposed to reopen to cattle from Canada and Quebec today, but the temporary injunction obtained last week by some American cattle producers is further delaying the partial reopening of the American border.
What does the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food intend to do about this injunction, to ensure that the interests of cattle and dairy producers in Quebec and Canada are properly defended?
Agriculture February 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, this year, February 8 was Food Freedom Day. It was the day when middle income taxpayers had earned enough money to pay for their entire year's food supply.
Quebec farm producers are pleased to contribute to the abundance of safe and high quality products available to us. In addition, our food basket is one of the most affordable in the western hemisphere.
However, there is a down side to this situation. Our farmers are getting a smaller share of the money spent on groceries, because their production costs are increasing. For example, the farmer who grows corn only gets 11 ¢ on a box of corn flakes that sells for $3.99 at the grocery store.
I invite hon. members and all our viewers to eat a bowl of corn flakes produced here, with some good milk produced here by our own producers. In doing so, we will contribute to their situation and their independence.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Châteauguay February 22nd, 2005
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to congratulate and thank the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Châteauguay for the contribution it has been making for the past 25 years to the social and economic development of our community.
This group of merchants and business people from Châteauguay not only contributes to the vitality of the city, but it also has a strong influence on regional social and economic issues.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Châteauguay brings together more than 400 members, who, over the years, have invested time and energy in promoting our city and our region. For each of them, their involvement has been, is and will be a proud moment that they will never forget.
The Bloc Québécois wishes long life to this organization and thanks its many members for their 25 years of economic and community action.
Horticulture Week 2005 February 11th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I want to draw attention to the Semaine horticole 2005, sponsored by the Conseil québécois de l'horticulture. This year's theme has to do with markets.
Horticulture is an extremely important economic sector for Quebec. This industry generates total annual sales of nearly $700 million. Its development and its future are intimately linked to its high level of excellence, as well as improved access to markets. The same is true for all agricultural production in Quebec.
However, horticulture is much more than just a lucrative industry. The Fédération des sociétés d'horticulture et d'écologie du Québec has over 60,000 members throughout every region, city and town in Quebec. These many members want to serve their neighbours and their environment through improved quality of life and the beautification of their respective communities.
So, hats off to all the green thumbs in Quebec. The Bloc Québécois wishes them success in both their personal and business ventures. Happy horticulture week 2005.
Agriculture February 4th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, during a meeting with the leader of the Bloc Québécois, Quebec's cattle producers repeated that the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food's plan did not meet their needs. One way to improve the minister's plan would be to provide financial support for the two proposals to purchase slaughterhouses, which would have a solid impact on Quebec's cattle production.
Will the minister respond favourably to the wishes of Quebec farmers?
Agriculture February 4th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, Quebec farmers, along with the Bloc Québécois, are speaking out against the federal government's inaction in managing the mad cow crisis. The federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food had set aside money to help cattle producers, but the measures proposed were not adequate.
If the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food wants to do something useful for Quebec producers, why is he not doing his part by providing $11.4 million, which would represent 60% of the cost of production, making it possible to set a floor price of 42¢ a pound?
Supply February 3rd, 2005
Madam Speaker, I will not belabour the point, but I would like to return to what I was saying earlier about the Union des producteurs agricole meeting. As I said, it is only a 50-minute flight from Ottawa to Quebec City. I feel the minister could have gone to meet with the producers.
The program in place has done nothing to help the producers. In fact, when some of them need an accountant's help to fill out the paperwork, I wonder if its purpose is to help the bankers, the accountants or the farmers.
As we have said, the situation is different in Quebec; we have a problem with cull cattle. I think that we have been calling for a minimum price since October. I have asked this of the minister on numerous occasions and his answer was that it could be Canada wide. I think that would be the only solution.
The minister has also said on very many occasions that he was negotiating with the province. The dairy producers are still waiting to hear an announcement from the federal government on assistance for them with the cull cattle situation.
Supply February 3rd, 2005
Madam Speaker, we can propose solutions to help producers.
The federal government could substantially increase the safety net program budget. That would be one solution. It would give Quebec and the provinces greater flexibility in managing funds allocated to the safety net program. The federal and provincial governments need help decompartmentalizing in order to meet the specific needs of each type of production in each region. These are some of the ways we can help them.
We have also proposed restructuring to reduce program bureaucracy, particularly with regard to the establishment of reference margins. There could also be an annual international subsidy impact assessment so as to ensure fair and equitable adjustments to the reference margins.
Supply February 3rd, 2005
Madam Speaker, I listened carefully to the minister when he said that he had introduced solutions. Where was he last fall, during the UPA's most recent convention? Why did he not come to give Quebec producers all this good news? We expected to see him at the UPA convention but we did not.
The minister says that he made changes. I do not want to hear him say that he was retained here in the House. Given that it takes 50 minutes to fly from Ottawa to Quebec City, I think that he could have come to announce everything he is talking about today.
Earlier, the minister mentioned a federal-provincial agreement. I think that he should have come in person to the UPA convention to announce the measures that he intended to implement to help producers who are clearly suffering. Some farmers are even on the verge of committing suicide and others have.
We do not yet have a specific date. There is talk of March 7, but we are not there yet and our producers are still waiting.