REGINA — Saskatchewan NDP opposition leader Carla Beck is drawing on her farm background to build the party in rural areas.
She announced her shadow cabinet last week and is taking on agriculture and rural affairs herself.
That means she will pose questions to new agriculture minister Daryl Harrison after the first sitting of the 30th Legislature begins Nov. 25.
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Former critic Trent Wotherspoon will serve as Beck’s deputy critic of agriculture and be responsible for Sask. Crop Insurance Corp.
“Partly it’s just selfishness in wanting to have that portfolio, but also it allows us to send a signal that we understand how important agriculture is to this province, both in terms of the economy of the province but also the fabric of the province,” she said in an interview.
Beck was agriculture critic in 2018 and said she enjoyed meeting with stakeholder groups and deepening those relationships is a priority.
“They want leaders at tables who don’t speak for them without listening to them,” Beck said of farmers. “They are the experts in their industry and they want to make sure that they’re not taken for granted.”
Beck said farmers tell her they want improvements to business risk management programs and market access for their products. That’s another reason she took the portfolio.
“I wanted to show how proud I am of my roots but also how proud I am of our world class producers,” she said.
Since the election, much has been made of the NDP representing urban voters and the Sask. Party winning all rural ridings. Beck said she hopes people see her as a leader who listens to everyone and wants to govern the whole province.
“If you go out looking for differences, you will find them, but if you go out looking for common ground, you will also find that.”
There are issues the two major parties agree on, such as the carbon tax.
But Beck said that didn’t translate into rural seats because voters haven’t seen a New Democrat on their doorstep for years. Connecting face to face with Saskatchewan people is a focus for her now that the party has more representatives and resources.
“I’m incredibly proud of my roots on the farm. It was a great way to grow up,” she said.
Meanwhile, Harrison said he is proud and privileged to serve as agriculture minister.
“I consider it a very prestigious post,” he said just a day after being named to the position.
It was too soon to list priorities but Harrison, who represents Cannington, said he was looking forward to working with various producer groups.
He has experience on rural municipal council, the Zone 1 Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association board and as a school trustee. As a cow-calf producer, he said his experience on the crop side was limited to growing his own feed but that’s where the stakeholders will assist.
Harrison is new to cabinet but served as a legislative secretary to his predecessor, David Marit, and said that work was invaluable in learning about the industry.
He also gave a shout-out to the ministry staff who are briefing him on the issues.
“We want to grow our ag economy. It’s about our producers but it’s also about the value-added side of the industry. The more we can do within the province, the better.”
That said, Harrison said trade is important across Canada and around the world. Both he and Beck said they will attend Canadian Western Agribition next week for a chance to celebrate the industry.
