38th PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION
Friday, November 18, 2005

Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Souris—Moose Mountain, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the minister in charge of the Canadian Wheat Board continues to drag his feet on raising the initial price of board grains.

A month ago, he advised this House that he was addressing the issue “as we speak” . “I will be responding immediately”, he said.

He said the same thing yesterday.

The minister's idea of “soon” is adding unnecessarily to the stress and bankruptcy of western Canadian farmers. This government has promised election goodies to everyone except cash-strapped farmers.

Why will this minister not do the right thing and just give farmers back their money?

Hon. Stephen Owen (Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), Lib.): Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, the Canadian Wheat Board is independent and acts at arm's length from the Government of Canada. In fact, 10 of 15 members of the Canadian Wheat Board are members of the farm community and five are appointed by the Government of Canada.

I think the hon. member's question is better posed to those farmers who control the Canadian Wheat Board.

Mr. Ed Komarnicki (Souris—Moose Mountain, CPC): Mr. Speaker, farmers, farm groups and the Canadian Wheat Board have asked this minister to raise the initial prices and the minister has failed to do so. He is putting a veto on the Canadian Wheat Board which is still controlled by this government. It is time that he would act and act now.

There is absolutely no reason why this minister cannot make a decision here and now, today. Where I come from “immediately” means within 24 hours, same day, not months.

Hon. Stephen Owen (Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the hon. member can be certain and have confidence in the fact that the President of the Treasury Board, who acts as minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, takes every issue of advice and information into account as he makes the important decisions that are necessary to promote the interests of farmers in this country.