Ottawa – Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton–Melville and Official Opposition Agriculture Critic, cannot believe the Prime Minister’s lack of understanding of the farm income crisis. Breitkreuz is responding to the comments made by the Prime Minister during question period on Wednesday and following a meeting with the Manitoba and Saskatchewan Premiers on Thursday. "This Prime Minister thinks everything is fine and dandy on the farm. He is even proud of the pitiful effort he has made to fight foreign subsidies. Mr. Chretien should come meet the farmers in my riding. He would see just how tough life is for farmers. It might convince him to get serious about fighting unfair foreign subsides," Breitkreuz stated.

On Wednesday, Breitkreuz told the House of Commons that in Europe 56% of a wheat farmer’s income comes from the government, in the U.S. 38% comes from the government, but in Saskatchewan it is only 9%. He then asked why the Prime Minister refused to lead a campaign against European and U.S. subsidies. All the Prime Minister could say was "I have mentioned that problem each time I have met with these leaders." "I was shocked by Mr. Chretien’s answer. Is he proud of the fact he has "mentioned the problem" with other leaders? This shows the lack of concern Mr. Chretien has for our farmers. As leader of this country he has the clout to fight for farmers who are in their worst crisis since the Great Depression," exclaimed Breitkreuz.

On Thursday the Prime Minister decided to play more games with the farmers of this country by telling the Premiers of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, he has new numbers stating the farm income crisis is not as bad as has been reported. The Prime Minister also said he wants a month-long study on the extent of the farm income crisis. "These comments are a slap in the face to farmers. For almost two years now Reform has been telling the Liberal government about the farm income crisis. Now the Prime Minister wants to study it further. If Mr. Chretien wants to find out the extent of the agriculture crisis, all he has to do is come to my constituency and talk to the farmers in the area. He will soon find out why we have been pressing this government to address the problems in agriculture," declared Breitkreuz.

"The Prime Minister has proven he has little regard for Canada’s farmers. As the leader of this country I thought he might take the bull by the horns and stand up for the farmers. One of the root causes of the current problem is foreign subsidies. By not taking action to fight these subsidies our government is acting like a farmer who sees a fox eating his chickens but won’t get out his gun until all the chickens are gone. We know a farmer would never do that but our Prime Minister doesn’t seem to mind negotiating trade agreements that leave our farmers on their own to compete with the treasuries of the U.S. and E.U.," concluded Breitkreuz.

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