Steven Bonk

Mr. Speaker, we know that the current government is the least transparent government in Canadian history. We see what the Liberals have done with committees when they have shut down debate; they have gone off camera. Even yesterday, Bob Fife, whom we wish well in his retirement and thank for all the good work he has done, said that the government has done nothing but erode transparency since it [more]

Mr. Speaker, we heard a lot in that speech. A lot of it did not make sense. A lot of it nobody on this side could relate to or understand. The member talked a lot about the rights of his citizens, and we know the citizens in his area are suffering an affordability crisis. We know they are suffering a drug crisis, a housing crisis, an affordability crisis, a revenue crisis and an income crisis. [more]

Mr. Speaker, we have seen the government, midway through its term, change the definitions of its fiscal anchors. Instead of debt-to-GDP ratio, it is debt-to-deficit ratio. One thing that I want to get a clear answer on from the member opposite is that, in the G7, Canada is the only country that does not count subnational debt when it is talking about debt-to-GDP ratios. What would the number be [more]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I heard the member laughing when my colleague brought this up, so I think the member opposite should apologize and withdraw his comment.

We've also heard instances of reporting in South America, for example, with BSE, in which it has taken over a year to adequately be reported, whereas in Canada, it's within days. There's a big difference in our animal health reporting system, as well as our traceability system, and I wanted to highlight that. Maybe I'll go now to Mr. Deleeuw, if I could, on some of the BRM tools that we have. I [more]

Could I interrupt you there? I have one more question, really quickly. My time's running out. It's on reinsurance. Could you explain a bit about how reinsurance could help the federal programs when it comes to spreading risk?

I'm going to ask Ms. Tranberg a question about competitiveness. Our system is very integrated with that of the Americans when it comes to feeding cattle, and as you mentioned, a lot of cattle cross the border several times in their lifetime. However, we are also in direct competition with our American neighbours, who are heavily supported in the States when it comes to business risk management [more]

I have a really quick question for Mr. Lee, and I just want to commend you on being the best-dressed witness we've ever had in this committee. Voices: Oh, oh! Steven Bonk: You mentioned that biohazards or pests would be the biggest concern to your entire industry. I'm not even sure which BRM product would best suit you. Would it be under AgriRecovery or AgriStability? Which program would be of [more]

My question would be for Mrs. Tranberg. We've talked quite a bit in the past about geopolitical implications in the cattle business in Canada when it comes to international trade and some of these international trade agreements that the Liberal government is pursuing. The big one right now that everyone is talking about is the Mercosur trade agreement. Currently, in the Mercosur countries, I [more]

I have a lot more questions for you, but I'm going to leave it there now. I'll ask some questions of Mr. Sullivan at GARS. I'd like to ask you about cross-compliance. We've heard a lot of negative talk about cross-compliance when we talk to stakeholders, and they're not that impressed with some of the programs coming out, with all of these strings attached. Can you maybe explain what you're [more]

I'll ask a question now to Mr. Deleeuw. My hat is off to you, because I understand this industry a bit. I've been involved in it for a while. I think these are the most risk-tolerant entrepreneurs in Canada, so my hat's off to you for taking this on. I want to ask you about the livestock price insurance. We know it's not cost-shared, as crop insurance would be. Do you have any suggestions on [more]

I'd like to ask a question of Mr. Shiels. Organic farmers, by nature, are very concerned with soil health, working with nature, making sure that there's carbon in the soil, making sure that water infiltration is not an issue and these types of things. Are you hearing from your clients that they are concerned about cross-compliance and added regulations that they have to follow when it comes to [more]