NEWS RELEASE

September 23, 1998  For Immediate Delivery

GOVERNMENT FIDDLES WHILE FARMERS BURN UP TIME AND MONEY AT U.S. BORDER

"Why does it take a crisis to make Liberals realize the importance agriculture plays in our economy?"

Ottawa—Yesterday in the House of Commons, Garry Breitkreuz, MP for Yorkton-Melville, questioned Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief about why the government has not taken any further action to correct the trade dispute with the United States. "We have been asking him about the talks he is having with his counterpart in the U.S., Secretary Glickman. It is obvious these talks are very ineffective because Canadian trucks continue to be harassed as they cross into the U.S. Why is he not acting?" asked Breitkreuz during Question Period.

Breitkreuz, Reform’s Deputy Agriculture Critic, is worried the Liberals will continue to turn their backs on Canadian farmers and challenged the government to step forward to fight for producers. "Why has the Minister not realized he could not resolve this? He should have called upon the Prime Minister to intervene and take some action against his American counterpart."

Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Foreign Affairs has now scheduled a bilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to discuss the trade dispute. "Only now, one week after the blockades in South Dakota started, does the government realize the importance of our agricultural trade with the United States," commented Breitkreuz. "The trade problems with the U.S. have not just popped up overnight. For months American Senators have been complaining about unfair trade practices and only now when farmers are being hit the hardest, does the Liberal government decide it’s time to take some action."

"In the past the Liberals have shown their disregard for the Canadian farmer. The problems occurring in the Dakotas and Montana are another example of the government’s negligence in their handling of the agriculture portfolio," stated Breitkreuz. "Discussions should have been held long ago to work out our trade problems with the United States. Instead, our grain and livestock producers are being held up at the different state borders costing them both time and money – neither of which they can afford. Why does it take a crisis to make Liberals realize the importance agriculture plays in our economy?" asked Breitkreuz.

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For more information please call
The Office of Garry Breitkreuz, M.P.

Yorkton: (306) 782-3309
Ottawa: (613) 992-4394