These comments are direct quotations from the Hansard
documents.
Jailed Farmers
Mr. David Anderson (Cypress Hills - Grasslands, Canadian Alliance):
Mr. Speaker, I know farmers who have shown the courage of their
convictions. I know farmers who will sacrifice their freedom for the
principle of fairness. I know farmers and their families who are paying an
incredible price for defending their principles. One week from today the
government will be jailing these same people. They too get no compassion
from this government. They are here, in Ottawa, today.
I ask this for them and their families. Why are they being locked up for
doing what is perfectly legal in the rest of Canada; selling their own
wheat?
Mr. Paul Szabo (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works
and Government Services, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the minister is well
aware of legal difficulties that the member describes and we regret that
legal circumstances affect producers who oppose marketing laws and
regulations.
Let me assure the House, we understand that court proceedings are not very
pleasant, but the Minister of Public Works and Government Services has not
and will not interfere in court proceedings.
Mr. David Anderson (Cypress Hills—Grasslands, Canadian Alliance):
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Wheat Board minister keeps dodging his
responsibilities. He is the one who charged farmers under the Canadian
Wheat Board Act. He is the one who lost the first court case. He is the
one who changed the customs regulations to make these men criminals. He is
the one who ignored the Alberta plebiscite.
He is personally responsible for the situation in which these farmers find
themselves. When will he and the government quit persecuting prairie
farmers and give them the same rights as producers in the rest of Canada?
Mr. Paul Szabo (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Works
and Government Services, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the member will well know
that two-thirds of the board of directors of the Canadian Wheat Board are
elected by western farmers and they are responsible for the policy and
strategic direction of the Canadian Wheat Board.
In this regard though, it is totally inappropriate for the minister to
interfere in any due process of law.
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