Saskatchewan politicians are calling for action against protectionist
American trade policies.
The legislative assembly last week passed a motion requesting four
federal cabinet ministers appear in the Regina legislature by May 24 to
hear concerns about the United States farm bill.
Opposition leader Elwin Hermanson proposed a conference of western
premiers and opposition leaders to develop a common response to the
farm bill and the 27 percent tariff on softwood lumber exports.
Premier Lorne Calvert asked that the issue be added to the agenda for
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the western premiers’ meeting in Yukon next month, and agriculture
minister Clay Serby headed to Ottawa saying farmers would need more
“trade injury” compensation in light of the expanded farm bill.
But while they agree on the impact increased subsidies to American
farmers will have on Saskatchewan farmers, the united front went only
so far.
The government twice refused leave to debate Hermanson’s proposal in
the legislature.
Hermanson said Western Canada urgently needs a strategy to cope with
trade issues.
“The fact that you would bring people from just about every political
way of thinking together, both in government and opposition, shows a
unity that we’ve not seen on issues in Western Canada for I think my
entire political life,” he said.
Saskatchewan’s only federal cabinet minister, government house leader
Ralph Goodale, said the idea deserved careful reflection and that
“internal cohesion” would send a strong message to the Americans.
Goodale made a surprise appearance in the legislature May 3. He told
reporters that federal cabinet ministers were working out details for a
possible trip to Regina.
The resolution called on Goodale, agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief,
finance minister Paul Martin and trade minister Pierre Pettigrew to
appear in the assembly. It was not known before Western Producer
deadlines if any would meet the request.
Goodale said the ministers are aware of the effect the farm bill will
have on Canadian farmers.
“I can also appreciate the point that people think it needs to be
underlined and put in bold face and made emphatic and clear.”
He said he wants to find practical solutions through constructive
dialogue, not political theatre.
Meanwhile, Calvert raised Saskatchewan’s concerns with North Dakota
governor John Hoeven at a meeting last weekend.
“We agreed to disagree,” Calvert told reporters May 6. “They see this
as a six- to 10-year plan and they intend to follow through.”
