AS PARLIAMENT got back to business Sept. 17, MPs were rightly focused on the horrific terrorist attacks in the United States. No doubt the issue of how to defend North America against future attacks will dominate much of the agenda.
But there are vital issues facing farmers and others in the agriculture industry that must also be addressed.
This parliamentary session, farmers deserve to have their concerns dealt with. Several key farm issues have been whirring through the spin cycle of Parliament Hill for too long.
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There were positive signs as the new session opened that the main opposition party, the Canadian Alliance, was bringing pressure to bear on the governing Liberals to address these concerns. Drought devastation, trade issues and low farm incomes are high on the list for anybody in the agriculture industry.
The Progressive Conservative party and the New Democratic Party chimed in with similar demands that the Liberals address these crucial concerns during this session. Clearly, more pressure will be needed.
So far, the Liberals have only issued a briefing package outlining help already available to farmers.
While there are undoubtedly pockets of success on the farm this year, overall yields are down roughly 20 percent across the Prairies. Crop insurance payments have skyrocketed to the point where governments may be required to inject money into the program to pay out claims.
This session, farmers deserve a government that finally delivers on the years-old promise of a solid, long-term farm safety net program.
Farmers deserve better from the Canadian Alliance and its break-away members too, who were preoccupied for much of the last session putting down, or pushing forward, (depending upon which side they were on) an internal palace revolt.
Let’s hope that during this session of Parliament, the Liberals can develop a species-at-risk legislation that properly compensates farmers. Scientists complain the proposed bill lacks the necessary habitat protection. That may be true, but if the public is genuinely clamouring for an endangered species bill, then the public must share the costs through higher taxes to compensate farmers at higher levels than the current proposal suggests.
Paying farmers 50 percent compensation, plus forcing landowners to cover the total costs of the first 10 percent of protected habitat, will not do.
During this session of Parliament, let’s hope the Liberals view those that till the soil at least as equals to the companies that make up the so-called ‘new economy.’
Air Canada has asked for $3-$4 billion from Ottawa or the airline says it may have to file for bankruptcy.
Forgive us if we fail to see the justice of such a bailout.
