In Question Period on February 26,聽the Honourable Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada鈥檚 Conservatives and Member of Parliament for Regina-Qu鈥橝ppelle,聽called on Prime Minister Trudeau to take urgent action to help Saskatchewan farmers through the Advanced Payments Program (APP).聽聽
Saskatchewan farmers are facing serious financial hardship聽after聽a difficult harvest season,聽trade disputes with the Government of China, the Liberal聽carbon tax, an early snowfall and illegal blockades shutting down the rail system.聽
鈥淭here is a dire situation across the prairies. Grain farmers are facing an urgent cash-flow crisis brought on by a series of misfortunes not of their own making,鈥澛爏aid Mr. Scheer. 鈥淏ut the government appears to have no plan to deal with it.鈥澛�
In particular, Mr. Scheer called on Prime Minister Trudeau to extend the APP repayment deadline and waive the interest charges that are set to kick in on March 31. Also, Scheer wanted Trudeau to prolong the eligibility criteria for the expanded interest-free portion of APP loans and include all agricultural commodities, not just canola. In addition, Scheer wanted the government to implement other policies at the federal government鈥檚 disposal that could ease the cash-flow crisis on Canadian farmers.聽
At a recent roundtable with Saskatchewan producers, Mr. Scheer was told many are struggling to make ends meet, are聽concerned about repaying their loans and anxious about having enough money to be able to continue operations this year.聽Many farmers do not have the funds to repay their APP loans, which are due next month, after which outstanding loans will face prohibitively high interest rates.聽
鈥淟oans are due in a short period of time and farmers do not have the cash flow to plant this season's crops. Is the Prime Minister willing to consider extending the advance payments program deadline, waive interest on its loans and look for other types of solutions that will ensure that farmers have what they need to get a crop in the ground this spring?鈥� asked Scheer.
