The new Quebec Liberal government will become the 10th province to sign the national agricultural policy framework in principle this summer, predicts the president of the powerful Quebec farm lobby, Union des Producteurs Agricoles.
But the Jean Charest government will have no mandate from farmers to sign a business risk management plan that would force Quebec to accept national programs rather than use federal funds to support more farmer-friendly provincial schemes, said UPA president Laurent Pellerin in a May 7 interview.
“I will not be surprised if in the next few weeks or months there is a signature on the general agreement,” Pellerin said. “I don’t think there will be a problem signing the general agreement. I think they will move on that.”
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In fact, he said, the previous Parti Québécois was prepared to sign but a provincial election intervened.
Pellerin said negotiations between Quebec City and Ottawa continue over agreements on the other four pillars of the APF – environmental rules, food safety, science and training or renewal.
“I know these discussions are going on and these discussions will not stop,” he said. “The problem is not there. The problem is on the risk management side.”
That is where Quebec’s likely decision to sign the general APF agreement becomes complicated.
A Quebec decision to sign in principle will be a political boost for the federal government, which has had a difficult time winning provincial and farmer support for its proposals to revamp safety net programs into two national schemes.
Quebec has been adamantly opposed to Ottawa’s insistence that it will phase out federal support for province-specific companion programs over three years and force all provinces to use the new national crop insurance and new NISA programs if they want their full share of federal dollars.
Pellerin said a Quebec signature will not change the dispute over safety net spending.
UPA continues to insist that all federal safety net money spent in Quebec be funnelled through the Quebec farm program system, supporting schemes that are more generous than elsewhere in Canada.
“We will not allow Ottawa to dictate that our programs be reduced,” said the Quebec farm leader who traditionally has the ear of the provincial agriculture minister.
Laurent said the provincial National Assembly passed a unanimous resolution supporting the UPA position.
“It is important to note that the new government, like the old government, will continue with that. I am certain of it.”
So why would Quebec farmers agree that the government should sign the general agreement, despite continued opposition to its most important provisions?
“Finally, we will sign to get the money, as all provinces did,” said Pellerin. “The general agreement is not very precise. Other provinces have not yet signed the specific agreements and they also oppose them, so I hope there is still room for change.”
However, the federal government has been adamant it will not support provincial programs that do not treat farmers in all provinces equally.
On May 12, Newfoundland became the first province to accept Ottawa’s terms by signing implementing agreements.
