Last month as Ottawa and the provinces engaged in tense negotiations to try to secure a new farm safety net deal, top Agriculture Canada bureaucrat Frank Claydon turned 53.
Last week, prime minister Jean ChrŽtien gave him a belated birthday present – a significant promotion into one of the federal government’s top jobs.
On April 10, Claydon becomes secretary of the treasury board, the government’s central agency that controls spending.
To fill his corner office at Agriculture Canada headquarters, the prime minister has appointed senior privy council official Samy Watson to become the new deputy agriculture minister.
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federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
Watson, 42, has been deputy secretary to the cabinet for planning and consultation. It is a senior position in the bureaucracy and supports the cabinet and the prime minister’s office.
The bureaucratic shuffle, announced March 31, brings a key new official to the table at a delicate time in agricultural policy making. In almost 20 years in the federal government, Watson has worked in Transport Canada and the finance department but not in agriculture.
Once inside the department, he will be introduced to a full plate.
Despite a recent ministers’ agreement on new funding arrangements for the next three years, details of a long-term program must be worked out and pressure will continue for more effective federal reaction to the farm income crisis on the Prairies.
Other pressing issues
Meanwhile, the government struggles to work out a way to manage the issue of genetically modified food. Looming trade talks represent a food policy challenge. Food safety issues, cost recovery and a host of other issues continue to percolate.
The switch at the top makes Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen a little nervous. The federation will be asking for an early meeting with the minister.
“I hope he comes to this job with an open mind,” said Friesen.
“Farming is a very unique industry and its issues cannot be run out of a textbook. I hope he is prepared for some fast learning.”
