Veteran Ottawa political writer Jeffrey Simpson once wrote that the
farm lobby, and in particular the dairy industry lobby, is one of the
most powerful and influential on Parliament Hill.
He cited the exemption that supply management systems receive from
Canadian competition laws to allow price fixing and the regular dollops
of money “poured” into agricultural programs.
“Ask any Quebec MP how powerful is the province-wide farmers’
association and watch the eyeballs roll,” Simpson wrote in 1990.
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Now, thanks to an Ontario MP who represents more dairy farmers than any
other MP in the province, the dairy industry voice is going to become
louder on Parliament Hill.
Lynn Myers, a former teacher who still lives on the family dairy farm
west of Toronto, is forming a Liberal dairy caucus to make sure dairy
issues are debated and understood within the governing party.
“There are a number of issues facing the dairy industry now that are
making dairy farmers anxious,” Myers said.
“I think a dairy caucus will give the industry a forum to hear their
views, and also an ally on the Hill that will make sure other parts of
the government understand the issues. There will be an educational part
to this as well.”
He said part of the impetus for creating the caucus of MPs and senators
with an interest in dairy issues is the fact that supply management and
the Canadian dairy system will be challenged during current World Trade
Organization negotiations.
“That is a big part of it.”
But he said domestic critics are also attacking the system, complaining
about its protectionism and price-setting features.
“I think there always are challenges,” Myers said. “But we must not
lose sight of the fact that this is a very significant agricultural
sector, generating $4 billion or so at the farmgate, that is healthy
and vital. We must not take it for granted. We must defend and protect
it.”
His riding west and north of Toronto is home to 731 dairy farms.
Myers said he expects as many as 50 Liberal MPs and senators to
affiliate with the dairy caucus, which will meet monthly and report to
rural caucus.
Like other special interest caucuses within the broader Liberal caucus,
it will invite presentations from the industry on issues that are
bothering dairy farmers and occasionally call government officials or
ministers before it to answer for actions or inaction.
Myers said one of the priorities will be to keep an eye on Canada’s
positions and tactics at WTO negotiations to make sure dairy interests
are not undermined.
