The latest antics by Winnipeg MP Pat Martin in the House of Commons have some cheering and others jeering the outspoken New Democrat.
The NDP used question period to ask Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz about rumours that an American agriculture business will take over the formerly farmer-run and government-owned Canadian Wheat Board.
The Conservative government passed a law in 2011 that removed the wheat board’s monopoly on western wheat and barley and dictated the marketer’s privatization by July 31, 2017.
READ MORE: Mixed reviews one year after the CWB monopoly ended
“Why would the Conservatives give away these assets free to multinational corporations instead of simply selling it to Canadian farmers?” MP Malcolm Allen asked.
“Absolutely none of that is true,” Ritz responded. “The assets of the CWB … will become part of a privatization plan as they look to recapitalized with another partner.
“All these tenders are looked at through the eyes of a third-party audit team as well as a legal team.”
Martin, who has become infamous for his apparent inability to rein in his sharp tongue, rose to respond to Ritz’s assertion.
READ MORE: NDP MP Pat Martin not hacked, not sorry following language-laced Twitter outburst
“Let’s see if I understand the Conservatives’ business plan for the Canadian Wheat Board. First you take the largest and most successful grain marketing company in the world and then you give it away free of charge to an American agrifood giant who until recently was your greatest competitor,” Martin began.
“Has the minister lost his freaking mind?”
Speaker Andrew Scheer was slow to respond, either because of the noise in the House or because he was uncertain what to say.
“The Honourable …” he began, then paused. “That’s …
“That’s extremely unhelpful.”
READ MORE: Lunch with NDP MP Pat Martin – back on the front bench, but not as angry (he hopes)
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