TORONTO – Federal agriculture minister Bob Speller proclaimed a new era in agriculture policy making in Canada as he emerged April 8 from his first federal-provincial ministers’ meeting.
“The message we are getting out today is that we are working together as a team to make sure that farmers and farm families have an opportunity to farm in this country,” the rookie minister told a news conference.
“I think farmers can take solace in the fact that this really is a new age in agricultural politics and co-operation between federal and provincial governments.”
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But for farm leaders watching the day’s events, evidence of the new age was more evident in the news that prime minister Paul Martin is moving deputy agriculture minister Samy Watson out of the department May 10 as part of a large bureaucratic shuffle. Deputy trade minister Len Edwards will replace him. Watson will become deputy environment minister.
There were no statements of regret from the farm lobby leadership who often found themselves at loggerheads with Watson during his four-year stint at Agriculture Canada.
“We look forward to a fresh outlook from a new deputy minister,” Canadian Cattlemen’s Association president Stan Eby said in an interview. “The CCA had an interesting relationship with Mr. Watson. I think I’ll leave it at that.”
Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen was less reticent.
“I can tell you CFA members will be optimistic that a new deputy minister is coming,” he said April 12. “CFA members most definitely felt he was not sensitive to agriculture, did not understand or appreciate the dynamic at the farmgate.”
Friesen said Watson had “some good ideas,” including the concept of a Canadian farm bill that became the agricultural policy framework.
However, once farm leaders endorsed the principles, he said Watson and the department went about designing the details they wanted with little regard for farm views.
“He was not willing to take direction from the industry, he did not react well to criticism or disagreement and there was great frustration at his inflexibility,” said Friesen.
In contrast, farm leaders welcomed Edwards with his background as ambassador to several Asian countries, including Japan, and his understanding of World Trade Organization talks.
“When we have dealt with him in trade, he has come across as someone who listens and also someone who is sensitive to the real interests of those his actions will affect,” said Friesen.
Speller praised Watson’s contribution while noting Edward’s trade background.
“That will be a very important file in the months and years ahead as we work through the WTO so it’s great having somebody there on trade, but I certainly appreciate the work that Samy Watson has done for agriculture,” said the minister.
“He’s done a wonderful job of promoting the agricultural policy framework and working to promote new ideas in agriculture.”
On the political front, Speller said his first meeting with the provinces produced a spirit of common goals on issues ranging from safety nets to food safety.
Ontario minister Steve Peters agreed.
“We realize we represent an industry that is very much in a crisis situation and we have to work together as provinces and with the federal government to stabilize and support the industry.”
Manitoba’s Rosann Wowchuk said the fact that relations appear to be better between Ottawa and the provinces is not necessarily a reflection on former minister Lyle Vanclief.
“We were dealing with testy issues at the time, developing the APF and fighting for the best interests of our producers,” she said. “I look forward to working with minister Speller. Those issues are behind us and now we have to move forward, look at how we implement the pillars of the APF and always think of the producer.”
