Will they carry through with their big promises?
That’s what farm group leaders were wondering Jan. 23, as it became clear that a Conservative minority government would have a chance to push its agenda in Parliament.
The Conservative party promised to review the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly marketing powers and replace the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program, something that could have big implications for Canadian farmers.
“I think it’s a very positive step,” said a delighted Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.
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“The wheat growers are really looking forward to working with the new Conservative government.”
She said the government should deal with ending the wheat board’s monopoly.
“This has been a key goal of the wheat growers for years and we’re pleased to see the Conservatives embrace it,” said Jolly-Nagel.
Considerably less enthused was National Farmers Union president Stewart Wells, who said the Conservatives should not assume they have a blank cheque to cash on the wheat board.
“Anybody who started saying that this is a mandate for the Conservatives to start changing the mandate of the Canadian Wheat Board would not be speaking entirely truthfully,” said Wells.
“Overall, with a minority government, the parties are going to have to be very careful in how to approach the next Parliament, and careful in how they approach agriculture policy.”
Canadian Wheat Board chair Ken Ritter said he wasn’t worried that a new Conservative government would hastily attempt radical changes to the board.
“We’ve been around for 70 years. We’ve seen a lot of changes in government. I’m quite confident the Canadian Wheat Board will be just fine,” said Ritter.
The government should focus on helping farmers suffering through critically low prices.
“As grain farmers we’re looking forward to some serious attention to the grains and oilseeds industry,” said Ritter. “It certainly needs it.”
General farm group leaders agreed.
“We’re going to push for a U-turn on farm income,” said Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen.
“Both the Liberals and Conservatives talked about the Wayne Easter report and farmer empowerment. That’s what we want to see: farmer empowerment.”
Agricultural Producers of Saskatchewan president Ken McBride said the minority Conservative government and the opposition parties need to address low net farm incomes.
And reforming or replacing the CAIS program should be at the top of the priority list.
McBride thinks divisions over the wheat board’s monopoly will probably mean that issue will be left alone for now, giving Parliament a chance to work on a CAIS replacement.
Keystone Agricultural Producers president David Rolfe said minority status may restrain Conservative actions, but change is in the air.
“We’re going to see a change in policy,” said Rolfe.
“Whether they can push on with (their policies on the wheat board and CAIS) in a minority situation remains to be seen.
“From an agricultural point of view, it could be very interesting if they keep their promises.”
