In its rush to embrace an economy based on high technology, science and knowledge, the federal government risks neglecting the contribution that many of Canada’s traditional industries still make, says Saskatchewan Wheat Pool’s chief executive officer.
Mayo Schmidt told a small breakfast audience in Ottawa March 21 that policy makers cannot forget the old economy in their enthusiasm for the new one.
“I’m here today because I want to talk about the need for balance,” he said. “The balance I am talking about is between the needs of the old economy and the new.”
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He said the internet and e-commerce will not stop international agricultural subsidies, make grain move more efficiently or put food on the table.
“Biotechnology, or life sciences, won’t provide a farmer with the credit needed to get his crop in the ground each spring,” said Schmidt.
And Canada has long been known as a world breadbasket.
“It’s a reputation that helped to build this nation and until we can e-mail eggs benedict, it’s an industry that, quite simply put, is too important not to support,” he said.
In a later question period, Schmidt said the sparse crowd at his speech — fewer than a dozen, including just two MPs — reflects the point that agriculture is not a priority in official Ottawa.
“I think even if we look at the turnout this morning, 10 years ago this room would have been filled with individuals to talk about one of the drivers of Canada’s economy.”
Schmidt said the focus has not weakened in Western Canada, so it is important that agricultural officials from that region continue to remind Ottawa that the food industry remains important.
“If we had a meeting like this in any town in Western Canada, we would have standing-room-only at most of the meetings, so the focus hasn’t left in Western Canada,” he said. “The question here in Ottawa (is) what is the focus on here? Is there still the ability to have support for the old economy and the new economy?”
The pool CEO noted that his company is diversified, employs more than 3,000 people and has annual revenues of $3.3 billion.
He said Ottawa should help prairie agriculture by showing leadership in making sure the grain transportation system “allows all participants to maximize their returns,” by investing in road improvements, by trying to negotiate reductions in foreign subsidies and by providing income support to farmers until foreign subsidies are reduced.
“The additional $500 million that agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief provided last month to support farm incomes is a start, but it falls far short of what is needed,” said Schmidt.
He urged federal politicians to remember “there is still a vibrant, hard-working old economy in Canada that employs a lot of people. It’s an economy that puts gas in our cars, a roof over our heads and food on our table.”
