OTTAWA – If years are judged by their potential to affect farmers and farm policies, 1997 is shaping up to be a dandy.
“The last three years have been years of massive changes, a whirlwind of activity,” national farm leader Jack Wilkinson marveled in a year-end interview.
“The new year looks like more of the same, maybe more.”
Federal agriculture minister Ralph Goodale concurred.
“Compared to 1993 when we came to office, we’ve moved a heck of a long way and most of it has been in a positive direction,” he said. “The evolution of the farm sector has started and I do think in 1997 and in subsequent years, it will become more pronounced and more evident.”
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As just a sampling of items on the horizon for the new year, the new year will see:
- A new single federal food agency, slated to start April 1 if legislation makes it through the House of Commons.
- The most radical change in the Canadian Wheat Board since it was formed. Legislation authorizing a board of directors, more flexibility and farmer elections to the board will be debated and likely passed by Parliament by spring.
- The first-ever farmer vote on whether to diminish Canadian Wheat Board marketing jurisdiction. It will be held in late February when barley farmers vote. Goodale has said he will abide by the result.
- A new debt mediation program to replace farm debt review boards this year.
- New cash advance rules.
- Legislation to revamp rules governing Canada’s co-operative sector. It will be introduced to Parliament in the winter, although approval before an election is uncertain.
“That is going to be a very heavy legislative and policy calendar,” said Goodale.
And all that comes before the election, during which farmers and rural voters will be asked to judge the spending cuts and policy changes introduced by the Liberals since 1993.
They will have competing visions from Reform, the New Democratic Party and Progressive Conservatives.
Goodale said he will use the election to both defend the government record and to promote Liberal plans to encourage growth and diversification in the food sector.
“No doubt the agriculture record will be one factor when voters make up their minds,” said the Regina MP. “I hope in the minds of most rural voters, it will be judged as a positive thing.”
Wilkinson, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, is making no public judgment about that.
He is not shy, however, about saying that he hopes the next House of Commons is more evenly divided.
He said the existing Commons, with a large national government party facing two regional parties, has not been good for the policy process.
“It has been difficult for organizations like ours to work with this House because we used to use opposition parties to carry our points, to act as a foil to the government.”
Wilkinson said there are rumors that no matter who wins the government, Goodale likely will not return as agriculture minister. Goodale said it is up to the voters of Regina and then the prime minister who chooses the cabinet.
Would he like to stay on as Canada’s agriculture minister? “If that is what fortune leads to, I would be delighted.”
