OTTAWA – Quebec’s powerful farm lobby last week put Ottawa on notice that Canadian federalism is on trial.
Laurent Pellerin, president of the Union des Producteurs Agricoles, said the close Oct. 30 Quebec vote in favor of remaining in Canada is a clear signal Quebec wants a better deal from the rest of Canada.
It is particularly true among farmers, who it is thought voted strongly for separation, he said.
“The message to Ottawa is clear,” Pellerin said in a post-referendum statement issued from UPA head offices near Montreal. “The federal government must grant Quebec a fairer share of public spending in the area of agricultural support.”
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In a Nov. 10 interview, Pellerin said Quebec farmers feel they have not been treated fairly by Ottawa over the years, compared to the treatment accorded prairie farmers.
“It’s always the same thing, different treatment to farmers in different parts of the country,” he said. “It is coming to an end.”
Federal agriculture minister Ralph Goodale would not concede the point.
Equitable treatment
“I think it would have to be acknowledged in fairness that we have worked very hard to address the fairness issues across the country,” he said in a Nov. 10 interview. “Equitable treatment is something we strive to achieve every day.”
Pellerin said the unfairness to Quebec is illustrated by two current examples.
He said Quebec has not been fairly compensated by Canada for the fact its farmers were not in the Net Income Stabilization Program during its first two years.
And prairie grain farmers were treated better by the government when they lost the Crow Benefit subsidy this summer than Quebec farmers are being treated over loss of the feed freight assistance program.
On the Prairies, the $1.6 billion in transition money is being paid quickly and directly to farmers. For Quebec and other areas losing the FFA, the $70 million is being paid over five years and on infrastructure rather than going to affected farmers.
“Is this not the same government?” he said. “Is this not the same country? Why are we being treated differently?”
Goodale insists that he will try to accommodate some of the FFA criticism but he is implementing a plan proposed in consultation with farmers, including Quebec farmers. Paying the subsidy directly to farmers is not being considered.
And on the safety nets issue, he said negotiations continue but Ottawa did transfer $17.7 million to Quebec as compensation for not being in the 1992-93 NISA.
“I’m not sure there is room for valid criticism on that score,” said the federal minister.
The two men also disagree on supply management.
Pellerin, like the Quebec government, insists the supply management system can survive with or without Canadian unity. Agreements between farmers should be made and politicians should quit making threats about the end of the system.
Goodale insists supply management, with its several billion in receipts to Quebec farms, is possible for Quebec only if it stays in Canada.
Pellerin said the tight referendum result showed “the heartfelt cry of a nation in torment.” It will be “the final appeal for recognition of differences and for true change.”
