Federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has shaken up his parliamentary caucus, shuffling many of his seasoned agricultural veterans to non-related jobs.
Frank Valeriote, agriculture critic since 2011, is being replaced by veteran Nova Scotia MP and former farmer Mark Eyking, who once served as parliamentary secretary to agriculture minister Bob Speller.
Valeriote becomes deputy whip in the new Trudeau shadow cabinet, a relatively minor post that requires making sure Liberal MPs perform their duties and show up for committee duty and House of Commons votes.
Wayne Easter, longtime agriculture critic and most recently trade critic with an eye on agricultural issues in trade negotiations, is the new Liberal public safety critic.
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Montreal MP Marc Garneau, a former astronaut and Liberal leadership contender, adds international trade to his new position as foreign affairs and Francophonie critic.
Toronto MP Kirsty Duncan replaces Eyking as international co-operation critic.
It is Trudeau’s first major overhaul of caucus responsibilities since he won the leadership this winter.
The Aug. 21 announcement was in preparation for the opening of the new parliamentary session in October.
Eyking said he plans to use his new position to question government cuts to food inspectors as well as the implications of last year’s federal-provincial agreement, which reduces farm business risk management funding.
“One of my priorities will be food safety and cuts at the CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency),” said Eyking, whose family operates a vegetable farm on Cape Breton Island.
“How many people will be on deck to make sure our food is safe?”
The Liberal MP said he will also track the impact of farm safety net programs that are part of the new Growing Forward 2 policy framework, which took effect April 1.
He said high commodity prices will eventually fall and farmers will find out what they have lost.
“When the storm comes, and it will come, farmers will be shocked by what they have lost,” he said.
“High prices have hid it, but farmers will find out soon enough.”
Eyking has been an MP since 2000, served on the House of Commons agriculture committee and has been involved in the Cape Breton vegetable farm started by his Dutch immigrant father.
When asked why party leader Trudeau asked him to be agriculture critic, Eyking said they sat close to each other in the House of Commons and often talked about agriculture.
He said Trudeau has visited his family farm.
Valeriote, a Guelph lawyer, has been involved in House of Commons food safety hearings, and with a University of Guelph base, has emphasized the impact of federal government cuts on agricultural research.
Regina Liberal MP Ralph Goodale remains deputy leader of the party in the House of Commons.
