Canada’s largest farm lobby finds itself trying to walk a balance between continuing to criticize the government’s showcase farm support program while not appearing to criticize new agriculture minister Bob Speller.
Delegates to last week’s annual meeting of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture struggled to send a message to government criticizing the details of the new Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program without appearing to slam the minister who is promoting it.
Quebec delegates were leading the charge to make a strong statement, proposing that the CFA “publicly denounce the ineffectiveness” of the business risk management program.
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Delegates from other provinces urged more temperate language, suggesting that the CFA pledge to “work to improve the effectiveness” of the new program.
“How can we be embarrassed to denounce a program that is not and will not be effective?” fumed Quebec farm leader Laurent Pellerin, president of the Union des Producteurs Agricoles.
Another delegate complained that “we’re here to represent farmers, not to be nice to the government.”
But delegates like Ontario’s Bill Mailloux said they should do nothing to undermine the new minister, particularly when Speller has promised to find more money and to change CAIS if a review this year discovers flaws.
“I think to denounce it would be to kick a guy square between the legs,” Mailloux said.
“There are a lot of bureaucrats who should be kicked on the behind,” responded Pellerin.
“They have not understood what we need.”
The major focus of the complaints was what delegates considered to be flaws in developing the reference margin that will determine CAIS payouts, as well as the fact that the payouts could come months or even years after the income loss is experienced.
There also were concerns that if all farm support flows through one program, it could attract trade challenges by the United States.
Thad Trefiak from Saskatchewan Wheat Pool said CAIS and its after-the-fact calculations will not help farmers this spring and summer when they need it.
In the end, the doves outnumbered the hawks and the criticism was muted.
“We have a new minister that is willing to work with us,” said Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Ron Bonnett. “He gave us an olive branch. We should give him one back.”
Pellerin protested that a strong CFA position would strengthen Speller in his fight against the bureaucracy to make changes to CAIS.
Meanwhile, the CFA supported Speller’s position by voting to urge all provinces to agree to strengthen CAIS by approving amendments that will cover negative margins, reduce the deposit requirement and raise the per farm support cap to $3 million.
Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Alberta have signed. Four more provinces must before the amendments take effect. Quebec is negotiating a signature.
“Any money that triggers between now and when CAIS triggers could very well be offset money for CAIS so the provinces should stop nickel and diming farmers,” CFA president Bob Friesen told reporters.
