NEWS RELEASE

October 8, 1997   For Immediate Delivery

Breitkreuz Cut Off During Debate of Wheat Board Bill
"Here are the nine questions the Liberals wouldn’t let me ask."

Ottawa -- Yesterday, Garry Breitkreuz, M.P. for Yorkton-Melville, was cut-off during his speech in response to Bill C-4, An Act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act. Breitkreuz rose on a point of order and asked for unanimous consent of the House of Commons to ask nine questions of the government. Some Liberals shouted, "No", to his request and unanimous consent was denied.

1. Why can’t the Wheat Board be completely controlled by the farmers?
2. Why does the Minister appoint the president or C.E.O.?
3. Why is agriculture singled out as an area that needs so much government interference?
4. Why weren’t all the recommendations of the Western Grain Marketing Panel followed?
5. What does this bill do to address the very serious concerns that many farmers have about freedom of choice in grain marketing and grain transportation?
6. How does this bill solve the divisiveness the government’s mishandling of the C.W.B. issue has caused among farmers?
7. How will this bill increase openness and transparency of the Wheat Board and why is the Auditor General still denied access to the Wheat Board’s books?
8. How does this bill address the more serious problem farmers are having moving grain to market and the increased costs associated with it?
9. How does this bill address the unique needs of producers in each of the four western provinces? Why does one size have to fit all?

"This bill is like so many others the government brings in - it gives the illusion of solving problems when in fact it’s just more government intervention. Deregulation and free trade have served every other Canadian industry well. Why are the Liberals so afraid to try it in agriculture?" asked Breitkreuz. "Respect for property rights, freedom of contract, and a bit of real democracy would serve farmers better than the Liberal’s enforced monopoly and manipulation."

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For more information, please contact:

Garry Breitkreuz, M.P.