Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, to what degree does the member believe that the grain farmers in the Prairies should be able to influence the decision of the government about the Wheat Board? I ask the member to reflect on the plebiscite that was conducted, in which 62% of the prairie wheat farmers suggested we needed to retain the Canadian Wheat Board.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, the prairie grain farmers are intelligent individuals and they have had ample opportunity over the last number of months and years to get a very good assessment of what the Canadian Wheat Board is all about, the pros and the cons. The Wheat Board is there first and foremost to serve farmers and to try to maximize the return to farmers.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, my question is with respect to a story that was printed in publication the member would be familiar with called The Economist. It is published by a fairly well-respected world news organization. I would like to quote directly from it, as I did earlier today in question period.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, Conservative member after Conservative member have stood and said that they are grain farmers and that this is a good thing that will happen. Yet we know full well that a legitimate plebiscite was conducted by the Canadian Wheat Board. Members laugh, but I would love to see the government have the political courage to conduct its own plebiscite.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, would the member reflect on what the prairie farmers have to say? Time after time Conservative members of Parliament have said the farmers want to get rid of the Canadian Wheat Board. However, 62% of prairie grain farmers actually want to keep it. That is the vast majority in my books.

Canadian Wheat Board  Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister is killing the Canadian Wheat Board. This is going to destroy family farms. It is going to hurt rural communities. Let me quote The Economist: Smaller producers, faced with mounting marketing costs, will inevitably have to sell their farms to bigger rivals or agribusiness companies.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Madam Speaker, my question for the minister is with regard to time allocation. What will it take to convince the government that this is not the direction it should be taking given the level of frustration being experienced today by prairie farmers regarding the government's actions?

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Madam Speaker, we in the Liberal Party are very disappointed in the way the government is manipulating the prairie wheat farmer. The other day the government said that this was all about freedom. If we talk to the tens of thousands of prairie grain and wheat farmers, this is not about freedom.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister said the other day, in terms of responding to a question in question period: The fact of the matter is that western farmers voted for marketing freedom, and that is what they are going to get. What I have found is that the current government, more than any other government that I am aware of, just feels that it has this mandate that it can do whatever it is that it wants.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Madam Speaker, in terms of process, it is interesting. My question for my colleague is of a very serious nature. We have a government, and the Prime Minister—

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  They are a little sensitive, and I can understand and appreciate why they are so sensitive on this issue. After there is a debate, members are provided the opportunity to ask questions. I would suggest that the government would want to be a little patient so I can—

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  It is a question, Madam Speaker, and I do not blame you for the confusion, because the government is very antsy, given the interesting reaction it had. It is interesting to note that today we have a bill—

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  Yes, Madam Speaker, now it is a point of order. I was up on my feet shortly after the vote was called. You had asked for questions and I had twice indicated that, yes, I was standing on a question. What I want to suggest, Madam Speaker, is that you review what has taken place.

Democracy in Ukraine  Madam Chair, I appreciate the comment in regard to the election observers. The number of Canadians who participated in Ukraine in 2004 was impressive to see. In my short period of time in the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group, I have noted that there was a relationship between the past ambassador and the group.

Democracy in Ukraine  Madam Chair, I think that is an excellent idea. I have two quick points. The Orange Revolution is something that is really unique in world history, and we acknowledge that. The leading role Ms. Tymoshenko played was just overwhelmingly phenomenal. That is all the more reason why Canada does have a role to play.