OTTAWA (Staff) – The federal Liberal party will signal this weekend that strong proposals for rural investment, infrastructure and training will be part of its next election platform.
As several thousand delegates descend on Ottawa this week for the Liberals’ pre-election policy convention, they will be asked to approve a number of rural proposals.
One resolution from the national caucus calls on the government to appoint a cabinet minister with responsibility for rural policy.
There are proposals for investment in rural roads and communications infrastructure, as well as pleas for greater access to capital in rural areas. This could be a chance for Liberal delegates to endorse earlier proposals from agriculture minister Ralph Goodale that the scope of the Farm Credit Corporation be broadened to make it more of a rural investment bank.
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Fight CWB opponents
From Manitoba Liberals, there is a proposal the government be tough in its dealings with opponents of the Canadian Wheat Board single-desk selling system.
It suggests the Liberals continue to support the board until “a significant majority of farmers call for its dissolution.” And it urges “full prosecution of any person contravening the provisions of the Canadian Wheat Board Act.”
Other agriculture-related resolutions include:
- A recommendation from Saskatchewan Liberals that the government continue to support the port of Churchill.
- A call for priority attention for agricultural research.
- A demand from Quebec Liberals that Ottawa withdraw its proposals to ban sale of raw milk cheeses.
- A proposal from Ontario Liberals that all food imports be clearly labeled to identify the country of origin.
