Bill C-18 committee  They've expressed their concern that in the absence of action on the rail service review, getting crops around the prairies to their points of destination is very difficult as it is, and the clout that the Canadian Wheat Board provides gives farmers an edge that they need. They're concerned about the gap that is going to be created in the absence of the clout of the Canadian Wheat Board. That question arises from my review, not only from my discussion with the farmers, but the report of the working group on marketing freedom.

Bill C-18 committee  Gordon, you're kind of nodding your head right now confirming that. The clout that the Canada Wheat Board provides gives farmers the edge as far as most of us are concerned--not all of us. I'm concerned about what sort of transportation infrastructure vacuum will exist once the Canada Wheat Board is dismantled.

Bill C-18 committee  I have to object to the question. The directors of the Canadian Wheat Board have a fiduciary duty to do everything they can within their power to keep that board alive in its current form. The kind of negativity that's being implied actually negates the obligations that the Wheat Board members have right now.

Bill C-18 committee  We've had three days of debate and now three days of discussion that will affect something as iconic as the Wheat Board and obviously will dramatically affect small farms in the provinces. However, at the risk of being objected to here, I will try to draw out my questions to the technical nature of the bill.

Canadian Wheat Board  Mr. Speaker, the bill killing the Canadian Wheat Board will be before a legislative committee starting this evening. While the government cut off discussion, allowing only three days of debate, western grain farmers and Canadians as a whole still have a right to better understand the devastating impact of this legislation.

Canadian Wheat Board  Mr. Speaker, the agriculture minister has declared that the Wheat Board will be transformed, without disclosing his new model. The $5.1 billion wheat industry relies on the strength of the Wheat Board in negotiations for the sale of wheat, the procurement of contracts for railcars and the funding of agricultural research.

Ken Ritter  Speaker, it is with great sadness that I learned of the passing this week of Saskatchewan farmer Ken Ritter, the first producer-elected chairman of the Canadian Wheat Board. He was just 64 years old. He held degrees from three different universities, taught school in Australia and practised law in Regina, but Ken's home and heart were on the farm in west central Saskatchewan.

The Budget  Also, will the government be doing a cost-benefit analysis of the Canadian Wheat Board before it brings in legislation to destroy it?

Business of Supply  Based on his experience, I know he would think there should also be some fiscal and financial responsibility in doing a net benefit analysis in terms of government making decisions. In a previous court action when the government was trying to bring in Bill C-46 the Wheat Board took the government to court. The director general of marketing policy for Agriculture Canada testified under oath before the Federal Court of Canada with respect to whether the federal government had undertaken a specific economic impact analysis in relation at that time to proposed regulatory changes to the Canadian Wheat Board.

Business of Supply  It is designed that way in order to minimize competition so that there are not two Ford dealerships competing with each other, driving down their business margins. My question for my hon. colleague is, does he realize that the idea of the Wheat Board is so that small farmers get together and agree not compete with each other, to their mutual benefit? That is the benefit of the Wheat Board. It looks like there is no benefit in an up market.

Business of Supply  The difference is that there is no legislation surrounding the election of the Conservatives throughout Canada as he suggests. There is legislation. Section 47.1 of the Canadian Wheat Board Act does require a plebiscite. Section 47.1 says that before the government can act and change the terms and conditions of the Canadian Wheat Board and its very existence, it must ask the farmers.

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  He has served as chief financial officer for Viterra Inc. and spent six years with Agricore United. Viterra itself has indicated that breaking the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly could be worth 50¢ to 75¢ of per share value to Viterra. Why is the government taking the fate and control of the Wheat Board away from farmers and turning it over to government hacks who are working for multinational grain corporations from the inside?

Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act  This is going to be a gain-gain for the grain multinationals of the world. The Canadian Wheat Board has been the vehicle that has been willing to challenge the railways. It has been able to glean money back from the railways that goes back to primary producers. Who is going to stand up for producers against the railways when the Wheat Board is gone?

Petitions  Mr. Speaker, I present a petition with regard to the Canadian Wheat Board. The livelihoods of western Canadian farmers are at risk should they lose the clout of the Canadian Wheat board to set the best price for their grain, negotiate fair treatment from the railways, lower transportation costs, and lose the many other services it provides.

Agriculture and Agri-Food  Mr. Speaker, when the government kills the Canadian Wheat Board single desk, it could also kill Canada's brand in global grain markets. Private companies will no doubt try to gather up the Wheat Board's $6 billion in annual sales to enhance shareholder value for their owners, not for farmers.