MP Tweed Poses Question to Minister of Agriculture Regarding The Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act

Mr. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, CPC): Mr. Speaker, today, the Minister of Agriculture was joined by the agricultural ministers of Saskatchewan and Alberta on behalf of the minister of British Columbia, to explain the importance of the marketing freedom for grain farmers act to Western Canada. For far too long Western Canadian grain farmers have been treated like second class citizens. That is why we introduced Bill C-18 to give Western Canadian grain farmers the right to sell their grain to whoever they choose, including to a voluntary Canadian Wheat Board.

Could the minister please outline the importance of passing Bill C-18 as quickly as possible?

Hon. Gerry Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, CPC): Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the member for Brandon—Souris, for the great job he has done getting us to this historic day. This is a great day as we celebrate it with my colleagues from Alberta and Saskatchewan, and joined by my colleague from British Columbia, as well as by dozens of actual producers from Western Canada.

This is a tremendous day. This is a movement forward. This is what we have been waiting for for decades. We will get the job done tonight.