Claresholm, Alta., farmer Ted Menzies listened as members of the federal Progressive Conservative policy committee debated the plight of Canada’s farmers.
Some committee members said Canada should match European Union subsidies until trade deals can be signed to reduce subsidies.
“I put it in some context,” the president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association and a national member of the Tory policy committee said in an interview. “When I told them what kind of cheque they would have to write for my farm alone, they picked their jaws up off the table and it was a non-starter.”
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Instead, said Menzies, the policy committee looked at a move to the New Zealand model of cutting government supports and forcing farmers to live on the market or perish.
“That was the gist of it,” he said. “It would force some rationalization but it has to happen.”
Menzies said he “hates to agree with a Liberal” but agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief is correct to muse about the need for government to have a farmer exit program for those who want to or must leave the business.
Although Menzies was a member of the PC policy committee, his views were not strongly reflected in the proposals being sent by the committee to the party’s convention in Quebec City in mid-May.
The policy proposals include a call for higher farm subsidies, at least in the short term until other countries reduce their farm supports.
“Until the world playing field has been leveled, Canada should have the flexibility to provide support to the agricultural sector.”
The policy proposals to be debated call for “an affordable, cost-effective and comprehensive national safety net program.”
Policy committee co-chair Whitney Issik of Calgary, said at the news conference the committee was not recommending a particular farm aid number, although its report noted federal support has been cut in half since the last Conservative government.
But she said the committee was noting that with less government support, Canadian farmers are being penalized compared to their competitors.
Other policy proposals being sent to the Conservative policy conference include demands that:
- The Canadian Wheat Board become voluntary.
- The CWB be taken out of the grain transportation system as the proposals of justice Willard Estey are implemented.
- Biotechnology support and research be continued, but that there be mandatory labeling of genetic manipulation in any products destined for human consumption.
- Canada remain committed to North American free trade and the rules of the World Trade Organization.
