The re-elected Conservative government started the new session of Parliament with a Throne Speech and a budget that re-affirmed previous campaign and budget promises to rural Canada.
On June 3, the 41st Parliament began with Throne Speech promises that the majority government will use this Parliament to end the Canadian Wheat Board single desk, abolish the long-gun registry and pursue trade while protecting supply management.
On June 6, finance minister Jim Flaherty reintroduced a budget that was first introduced March 22 but that died when the government fell and an election was called.
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Although it added some measures including $2.2 billion for Quebec and a phase-out of direct public subsidies for political parties, the agricultural provisions remain the same.
The government is promising:
• A five-year $100 million injection of funds into the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to buy equipment and to train front-line inspectors.
Last week, the Public Service Alliance of Canada Agriculture Union representing CFIA inspectors questioned that promise, suggesting agency sources argue some existing CFIA budget is going back to the government so the net value of the promise is less than it seems;
• A $50-million two-year investment in a new Agricultural Innovation Initiative whose terms have yet to be defined;
• A total of $24 million over two years to extend the campaign to control hog sector diseases although once again, $24 million from the Canadian Swine Health Board that was not spent last year reverts to the government;
• The plum pox fight will receive a five-year, $17 million extension.
The government hopes to have the budget approved in principle by the time Parliament rises for its summer break in late June.
The Throne Speech, meant to be an outline of the government agenda for the new Parliament, made it clear the government plans to implement promises that were blocked by the opposition majority in the last two minority Parliaments.
While it will introduce an extensive anti-crime agenda, long gun registration will not be part of it.
“Canada’s rural communities are rich in history and culture and generations of rural Canadians have worked hard and played by the rules,” said the speech read by governor general David Johnston.
“They should not be the target of unfair laws. Our government will act on its promise to introduce legislation to end the wasteful and ineffective long gun registry.”
The government also confirmed it will bring forward legislation “to ensure that western farmers have the freedom to sell wheat and barley on the open market.”
And while promising an aggressive trade agenda that includes a free trade agreement with the European Union by next year and with India by 2013, the Conservatives promised that supply management sector high tariff protections are safe.
“In all international forums and bilateral negotiations, our government will continue to stand up for Canadian farmers and industries by defending supply management,” it said.
