They said it in different ways, and with varying degrees of
sheepishness, but American politicians meeting with Canadian
parliamentarians recently passed along a common message: the U.S. farm
bill and its subsidies are here to stay for awhile.
Don’t waste time complaining about it, Canada. Learn how to live with
it.
“They didn’t really try very hard to defend their position because it
is indefensible,” said Canadian Alliance MP Monte Solberg.
“One senator said it was bad policy but he didn’t have the guts to vote
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against it.”
Prince Edward Island Liberal Wayne Easter said the American message was
clear: “We’re going to stand with our farmers and we’re sorry if that
hurts Canadian farmers but that’s the way it is.”
The two MPs were part of a Canadian delegation of MPs and senators who
travelled to Rhode Island for an annual meeting with American members
of congress and senators May 17-20.
Issues raised traditionally cover the gambit of U.S.-Canadian relations
but this year, trade irritants and the farm bill held centre stage.
Many Canadians left the meetings convinced that the Americans are in no
mood to compromise.
“It was politics, crass domestic politics, and the world be damned,”
said Ontario Liberal Bob Speller.
“I would say some were sheepish but not enough to change right now.
Maybe later.”
He said one argument was that a pending redistribution of congressional
seats means that rural America will lose some clout in the next
congressional elections. The subsidy-heavy farm bill was needed to set
a pattern for future versions when rural political clout is not as
strong.
Lethbridge Alliance MP Rick Casson said he was told some of the farm
bill clauses could be used as American bargaining chips at the next
World Trade Organization negotiations.
“I think once the fall elections are over, they will become a bit more
flexible,” he said. “It’s like over-dressing when you go to a strip
poker game. You have more to take off before you’re naked.”
Easter said the message was that Canadian federal and provincial
governments have to “step up to the plate” to support Canadian farmers
as long as their competitors are supported.
