These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Protection for Rural Canada
Ms. Diane Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk,
CPC): Mr. Speaker, the Liberal government has no respect for rural
Canada. Instead of enshrining property rights, it is eroding them. It is
delivering less than 60¢ of each $1 of farm aid promised and Ontario just
cut agricultural funding by 23%.
Why does the government
refuse to respect the contribution that rural Canada makes to this
country?
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, that is
absolutely and totally inaccurate. In fact, it is this party that respects
rural Canada. It is this party that understands the importance of
developing policy and an approach specifically tailored to rural Canada.
We see that in terms of
our regional development agencies which that party rejects. We see that in
terms of our infrastructure support which that party rejects. We see that
in terms of our community futures program which provides access to capital
for rural businesses and that party rejects that. Canadians clearly
understand that we are the protectors and promoters of rural Canada.
Ms. Diane Finley (Haldimand—Norfolk,
CPC): Mr. Speaker, it is not enough to have policies. They have to be
put into practice.
Rural Canada accounts for
fully 40% of our exports. This is a huge economic contribution to our
nation's well-being. Despite drought, frost, border closures and
infestations, first the Liberal budget and now the NDP-Liberal budget only
have money for more bureaucrats and consultants for these sectors.
Why does the Liberal
government, along with its NDP allies, refuse to respect those of us from
rural Canada?
Hon. Andy Mitchell
(Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, is it
bureaucrat money only? A billion dollars of new assistance has been
authorized for payment to producers and already three weeks after that
announcement was made more than $700 million was actually paid out to
producers. That is in addition to the $1.3 billion that has been paid out
to producers under the CAIS program.
Opposition members
criticize and suggest that the money is not flowing to producers. They are
wrong. It is. The money is--
The Speaker: The
hon. member for North Vancouver.
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