The first time members of the free trade-promoting Canadian Agri- Food Trade Alliance met British Columbia Conservative MP Ed Fast, he reminded them that he represents Abbotsford, B.C.
The message was clear: it is a Fraser Valley riding that is home to a significant number of dairy, poultry and egg farmers who depend on supply management protections.
“I didn’t get the sense that he himself felt any particular philosophical affinity to either supply management or free trade,” CAFTA executive director Kathleen Sullivan said.
Read Also
Man charged after assault at grain elevator
RCMP have charged a 51-year-old Weyburn man after an altercation at the Pioneer elevator at Corinne, Sask. July 22.
“He was just pointing out his role as an MP.”
The Abbotsford lawyer is also Canada’s new trade minister at a time when the Conservative government is promoting free trade deals as a key part of its economic strategy. It also has vowed to protect supply management.
Fast, first elected to Parliament in 2006, has no obvious history of involvement in trade issues and is one of the rookie ministers appointed by prime minister Stephen Harper in preparation for the first majority Conservative government in almost 20 years. He was chair of the Commons justice and human rights committee.
Sullivan said CAFTA members will meet with Fast to make sure he understands that much of Canadian agriculture depends on exports.
However, she said the appointment of a minister from a “chicken constituency” may help make the trade debate less divisive in Canada.
“I don’t think anybody believes the government is going to dismantle supply management in the next four years so I’m not sure having someone from a chicken constituency matters much one way or the other when it comes to the government agenda,” she said.
“And perhaps his presence will have a calming influence on supply management groups who may feel that he’s less likely to impose his own philosophical views.”
Supply management farmers definitely took note.
“Mr. Fast understands the importance of supply management to Canada’s economy and in job creation,” Egg Farmers of Canada president Peter Clarke said in a statement.
Chicken Farmers of Canada general manager Mike Dungate said he has met Fast at several events.
“He always came to our events, he always wanted to learn about agriculture and so he had a good appreciation of what we do in our industry,” said Dungate.
