Western Producer staff
Autumn ushers in the beginning of the Liberal nasty season. A year of high public approval, based on doing little and on the mere fact that they are not Tories, is about to give way to the true face of ChrŽtien Liberalism.
It will be conservative, tough-minded and unromantic – a pragmatic stroll through the deficit-driven politics of the 1990s. For farmers, it will mean budget reductions, tighter control on federal farm spending, program cuts and fewer Agriculture Canada officials to design and deliver the programs that survive.
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In practical terms, it will mean that negotiations over farm income safety nets will become all the more difficult because Ottawa will increase its resistance to proposals for more federal bucks. If provinces and farmers want a better program, they will have to pay more of the bills.
It will mean a toughening of administration and policing of farm programs, such as the changes announced last week to the advance payments program.
It will mean a greater effort by Ottawa to increase revenues from user fees and to shuffle responsibility for programs and funding to the private sector.
Why will all this happen?
Largely, it will happen because finance minister Paul Martin and prime minister Jean ChrŽtien are serious about building a restraining wall around the deficit.
This is a change from previous regimes, Tory and Liberal.
The Tories talked tough and were accused of destroying Canadian institutions but when it came to budgeting and cutting up the cash, they really governed in traditional spending and patronage ways. The Liberals last year during the election promoted a feel-good image and an end to heartless Tory times. In office, they likely will turn out to be far tougher.
In some ways, we have been given preliminary glimpses of 1990s Liberalism, courtesy of transport minister Doug Young. He has promised far more drastic cuts to transportation systems than the Conservatives would have dreamed of threatening.
Likewise, unemployment insurance benefit cuts seemed to do what Liberals in opposition accused the Conservatives of doing – target the unemployed to add to their misery.
Meanwhile, Marcel Masse, minister responsible for “public service renewal,” has been conducting a review of government programs and institutions that is expected to result in a significant decline in the scope of government.
Like all deputy ministers, Agriculture Canada deputy Ray Protti has reviewed his department so he can offer some programs, spending and staff positions as the department’s contribution to next spring’s deficit-reduction budget.
The first glimpses of the tougher strategy should be evident early next month when finance minister Paul Martin delivers an economic statement.
The new Reform-like face of modern Liberalism (but without the simplistic across-the-board cutting mentality) is about to emerge.
(Barry Wilson has requested that readers be advised he would have joined the GSU strike had it not been for the fact that Producer GSU members in Ontario are not in legal strike position.)
