These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Agricultural Policy Framework
Mr. Odina Desrochers (Lotbinière—L'Érable,
BQ): Mr. Speaker, the provinces and the federal government readily
reached agreement on the objectives of Canada's new agricultural policy
framework. However, an important obstacle still exists regarding how these
objectives will be reached. Despite the unanimous support of the National
Assembly, the UPA, and the Quebec government, the federal government
stubbornly refuses to make changes to the program, thereby threatening the
viability of the Financière agricole du Québec.
Does the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs approve of the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food's refusal to be flexible solely to maximize the
Government of Canada's visibility?
Mr. Claude Duplain (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the
hon. member for giving me this opportunity to answer my first question as
Parliamentary Secretary of the Minister of Agriculture.
It is completely false to say such things. Currently, we are developing a
program, a strategic framework. All the stakeholders are participating in
discussions. The minister is meeting today in Toronto with the provincial
stakeholders to develop a strategic framework, and it is completely false
to make such statements.
Mr. Odina Desrochers (Lotbinière—L'Érable, BQ): Mr. Speaker, I
have here a backgrounder prepared by Agriculture Canada.
It says that from the federal government's point of view, it makes sense
to stop funding provincial programs because the federal government
receives very little, if any, visibility from the provincial programs it
supports.
Does the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs think it is right for a
government to hold all of Quebec's agricultural producers hostage because
it is not getting enough visibility?
Mr. Claude Duplain (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, some documents became
available. In the English version, there was never any mention of this
sentence. This sentence was in the French text, and the Minister of
Agriculture deleted it immediately.
I can guarantee that this government will never make its assistance to
Canadian agriculture a visibility issue.
Ms. Yolande Thibeault (Saint-Lambert, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, farmers
have expressed some concerns about the development of business risk
management programs.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and
Agri-Food explain to this House how he intends to alleviate these
concerns?
Mr. Claude Duplain (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, for a year and a half
now, the Minister of Agriculture has been working on developing an
agriculture policy framework with risk management programs that will
provide very effective coverage for farmers. We have consulted all the
industry representatives, producers and members of the Standing Committee
on Agriculture who asked for amendments, which were noted and even added.
Again I repeat, the Minister of Agriculture is currently in Toronto with
his provincial and territorial counterparts to continue examining the
policy framework.
Mr. Brian Fitzpatrick (Prince Albert, Canadian Alliance): Mr.
Speaker, the agricultural policy framework implementation date will soon
be here. Three provinces and the majority of farm groups have fundamental
objections to many of the proposed changes. The prospects for thousands
upon thousands of Canadian farmers are bleak at best.
Our farmers need an effective long term solution. Will the minister extend
the implementation period by one year to ensure the program will meet the
needs of our hard pressed Canadian farmers?
[Translation]
Mr. Claude Duplain (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, of course there are
various reactions to this program. This is a new program that is being
developed throughout Canada so that all producers can benefit from all the
existing programs.
Certain stakeholders do not like the program. We are making changes.
People are asking that the program be delayed. It is important to
understand that, next year, producers will be able to benefit from all
current programs. We are now developing programs for the future. We have
three years in which to do this.
[English]
Mrs. Cheryl Gallant (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Canadian
Alliance): Mr. Speaker, the minister is insisting on ramming through
his changes to the safety net programs by April 1 even though the majority
of farm organizations and a number of provinces are opposed to the
deadline of April 1.
Now the minister is threatening the provinces with no federal funding for
their producers until they have signed on to the APF. Why is the minister
threatening the provinces and trying to force this program down the
throats of the farmers?
[Translation]
Mr. Claude Duplain (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of
Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely no
threatening going on. We are currently developing the program. The
Minister of Agriculture and his provincial counterparts are still working
today in Toronto to develop this program. In due course, all producers
will be able to access all the funding they need for their programs.
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