The result of the federal election surprised few western farm leaders.
It’s the idea of working with a minority government that seems to hold much intrigue.
Some think it means more action on the agriculture file, others worry it will lead to gridlock.
But those surveyed are unanimous on a willingness and eagerness to start working with the new government on their issues.
Terry Hildebrandt, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan:
Hildebrandt is of two minds on the Liberal minority.
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“Maybe a minority situation keeps everybody a little more honest and nose to the grindstone.”
On the other hand, he worries about agricultural policy slowing to a snail’s pace under a minority when it was already painfully slow under a majority government.
“If you’ve still got to get the OK from 10 provinces and then maybe another party, is it going to be possible to create policy?”
Hildebrandt said APAS has no problem dealing with a Paul Martin government, calling him a more “workable” leader than Jean Chrétien.
“He was out here three times in Western Canada during BSE. You didn’t see that in the past administration.”
However, he remains concerned about continuing western alienation with few ruling party MPs elected in the West. There is one way that could change but he doesn’t want it to happen.
“I think the worst scenario is we’ll probably be back at this within 12 months again.”
David Rolfe, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers:
Rolfe said it is obvious the Liberals are going to need a coalition government to stay in power.
“What influence the minority party will have on Liberal party policy towards agriculture is the great un-known.
“I would hope whatever influence there was would be for the benefit of agriculture.”
But Rolfe doubts that will transpire because agriculture took a back seat to social issues in the 2004 federal election.
“I tend to think agricultural policy will probably remain the status quo. It probably won’t be very high on the agenda. Not as high as it should be.”
KAP will push the coalition to put pressure on the United States to open its border to Canadian cattle and push Ottawa to make enhancements to the business risk pillar of the Agricultural Policy Framework agreement.
Karen Pedersen, women’s president of the National Farmers Union:
Pedersen doesn’t expect to see a difference under a Liberal minority.
“That sounds like more of the same and I don’t know that the Liberals have put a lot of priority on agriculture.”
Pedersen had the same attitude when it came to comparing the Martin Liberals to the former Chrétien government.
“Things that began under Chrétien continued under Paul Martin.”
She is also skeptical that a coalition will bring any real difference to farm families.
“We’ll wait with anticipation and hope that something does change, but I wouldn’t be surprised if nothing does.”
Ken Ritter, chair of the Canadian Wheat Board:
Ritter said the CWB is a business, not a political organization, so it was ready to work with any party that got elected. But he admitted the election results brought good news for those who believe in a farmer-elected board that controls western wheat and barley exports.
“It looks like that will be retained.”
However, he wasn’t convinced things would have changed under a Conservative party government despite the party stance that it would end the CWB’s monopoly in its first term.
“It really wasn’t that clear exactly what was going to be done. There were broad brush statements made but there was never any specifics provided.”
Douglas McBain, president of the Western Barley Growers Association:
McBain was disappointed the Conservatives didn’t have a better showing in the election and is convinced the wheat board will continue to find support under a Liberal minority.
“I don’t think that will make any difference at all. The NDP will be calling the shots.”
He said marketing choice for farmers will have to come from the courts instead of Parliament, although his group will not initiate any legal action.
Cherilyn Jolly, president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association:
Jolly was happy to see the Conservatives take a policy stance against the CWB monopoly.
“We’ve gained some ground. That hasn’t been in previous platforms federally. We’re making some progress in letting the parties know how that’s an issue for us.”
But she is not upset by the Liberal victory and said her group is willing to work with MPs to educate them on wheat grower policies.
She said there is an indication that the Liberals are willing to listen to their concerns on issues like the government’s fleet of hopper cars.
She said the Liberals would also be well advised to listen to what the electorate had to say.
“The prairie vote has indicated that farmers are ready for a change and that is key.”
Sinclair Harrison, president of the Farmer Rail Car Coalition:
Harrison is pleased with a Liberal minority because the party pledged to work with the coalition “to secure a viable future” for its fleet of 12,500 grain hopper cars.
“Our future is more predictable with a Liberal government than it may have been with some other.”
Harrison is confident the Liberals would get support from the NDP on a vote involving the hopper car issue. He has received separate assurances of support from the NDP caucus and party leader Jack Layton.
He expects the hopper car issue will be one of the early priorities of the new Liberal minority because if the election hadn’t been called when it was, the rail car transfer would probably have taken place by now.
