A large part of Manitoba’s economy is agriculture, and a large part of agriculture is the production of grain in this Province. In our area the largest part of our total agriculture economy is grain production. The Canadian Wheat Board is therefore an important institution to our area. The Canadian Wheat Board and its role is a Federal issue, not a Provincial one, though I thought that given the importance of the Canadian Wheat Board to our area, it was important to make comment about it.

Because of our geographic remoteness from ports and the direct and indirect benefits that accrue from the Canadian Wheat Board headquarters in Manitoba, where more than 400 people are employed, proposals by the Federal government to alter the mandate of the Canadian Wheat Board will have an impact on Manitoba’s economy.

The decision on the Canadian Wheat Board must equally consider all players in Canada’s grain industry. However, when we are discussing the future of the Wheat Board we must consider what is best for farmers and the grain industry. As a result, Hugh MacFadyen, the leader of the Official Opposition, wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, explaining to him that while the Progressive Conservative Caucus of Manitoba supports the expansion of marketing choice, farmers should be consulted through a plebiscite on any fundamental changes to the Canadian Wheat Board’s mandate. Farmers need to be consulted, and farmers need to decide the Canadian Wheat Board’s future.

On a personal note, I am a Canadian Wheat Board supporter!