These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Producer Assistance
Mr. Rick Borotsik
(Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, we heard this week in a debate
in this very House that the cattle industry is suffering its worst crisis
ever.
We all agree farmers and ranchers need cash and they need it now. Rather
than waste money on gun registries and sponsorship programs, can the
Minister of Agriculture not find a way to get cash into producers' pockets
now?
Hon. R. John Efford (Minister of Natural Resources, Lib.): Mr.
Speaker, as we are talking here in this hon. House today, the Minister of
Agriculture is out in Calgary meeting with the farmers.
In 2003, $5 billion flowed through the agriculture industry and the
farming industry in Canada. As we are talking here today, the minister is
out there ensuring that money will be flowing to the farmers as soon as
they make the request and all the farmers who will be impacted will
receive sufficient moneys.
Mr. Rick Borotsik (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, all of that
rhetoric does not help the producers and the farmers right now.
It is obvious that the infusion of a new minister does not equate to an
infusion of cash into the producers' pockets. The fact is that there has
been no money flowing to the agriculture producers. We cannot wait for two
years to get a flawed program kicked in so producers can get cash. When we
need it is now, immediately now, tomorrow. Will the minister admit to an
immediate cash infusion into the agricultural industry?
Hon. R. John Efford (Minister of Natural Resources, Lib.): Mr.
Speaker, if the hon. member calls $5 billion in 2003 and $4 billion now as
rhetoric, then I do not understand the question he is asking.
Money is flowing through. As we are talking now, the Minister of
Agriculture is in Calgary today. The money will go directly to the farmers
now, not next year.
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