Rural Manitoba was a different place when veteran Tory cabinet ministers Glen Findlay and Jim Downey entered politics.
As they leave, farms are bigger, but fewer. High throughputs are replacing wooden elevators. And crops such as beans, sunflowers and canola dot much of the rural landscape.
But the events of the past are not entirely unlike those of today.
In the early 1990s, farmers were desperate as they found themselves in a cost-price squeeze. Farmers are in the same vise again, said Findlay, but they are trying to adapt and take control of their own destiny rather than ask for handouts.
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“The farmers have matured dramatically in terms of realizing government isn’t the answer.”
When Findlay, a farmer from Shoal Lake, Man., was first elected in 1986, world trade issues were front and centre.
During his time in office, including five years as provincial agriculture minister, Canada went through a set of world trade negotiations. Those negotiations led to governments getting rid of the Crow rail subsidy and the revenue protection of the Gross Revenue Insurance Plan.
Findlay leaves politics as farm groups prepare for another round of World Trade Organization talks.
“So the game goes on,” he said.
Downey, who was first elected as an MLA in 1977, sees a farm economy that is much more diversified. It’s a trend he hopes will continue.
Manitoba’s agricultural base has also drawn more industry. Downey, whose cabinet portfolios included agriculture and industry, was often at the forefront of efforts to bring business to Manitoba. Among these are an oat milling plant at Portage, a strawboard plant at Elie, a crushing plant at Harrowby and a new hog processing plant at Brandon.
His government’s push for balanced budgets and debt reduction helped create the climate needed to attract those industries, said Downey, who is now co-chairing the Tories’ election campaign.
As he leaves his post as Arthur-Virden MLA and the province’s deputy premier, Downey feels positive about the future of rural Manitoba. He said the economy is strong and jobs abound.
“To tell you the truth, I’m bullish about all of Manitoba – north, south and urban. This province is on a roll.”
Findlay is most proud his government brought in a policy of reducing debt through balanced budgets.
He said he and his spouse were committed to spending 10 years in politics to try to make a difference in the province. Findlay enjoyed his time in government and stayed longer than his planned decade, but says politics is not “the be-all and end-all of life.” He now plans to spend more time with his eight grandchildren.
“It’s not a career, we’re not here forever.” He said he believes turnover is essential to good government.
Downey is proud of the nine years he spent as deputy premier.
“I was able to be there to support the premier and my colleagues.”
It would be a mistake, however, to say that Downey is retiring. He owns a farm near Melita, Man., and he has already been approached with business ventures and board appointments.
His ties with provincial politics won’t be completely severed.
“There are still some areas that I would like to be involved in. Time will tell how closely involved I’ll be.”
