NDP leader challenges Liberals on fate of Canadian Wheat Board

The fate of the Canadian Wheat Board was up for federal debate during Question Period in Ottawa on Tuesday.

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair challenged the Liberal government on whether they would helpsave it a positionthe Liberals have long supported.

"Before the election the Liberals talked a good game on this issue but nowin government are they actually going to help farmers and restore the Canadian wheat board? Yes or no?" Mulcair said.

The topic came up after a group of farmers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba recently voted unanimously to call for the re-establishment of theboard.

Thefarmers, known as the Canadian Wheat Board Alliance, said the loss of the wheat board has cost them $6.5 billion in income over the last two years.

Minister of Agriculture responds

Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay responded to Mulcair, making note that his government didn't sell the wheat board.

"I think we are all aware who ended the Canadian Wheat Board," MacAulay said.

The former Conservative government sold the wheat board to the Saudi-owned G3 Global group after privatising its board.

MacAuley said the commercialisation of the wheat board has already been completed.

However, he said the Liberals will take other steps to make sure farmers get what's due.

"I can assure you this government will focus on it's priorities for the sector including opening up new trade routes to make sure farmers receive proper remuneration for their grains," MacAulay said.