Well, it’s official. Canadians go to the ballot boxes April 28 in what is billed as the most important election of our times.
Canadians will elect 343 representatives. As of today, our national government is made up of Liberals (152), Conservatives (120), Bloc Quebecois (33) and the NDP (24). There is also the Green Party, which has two elected MPs, three independents and four vacant chairs up for grabs in the House of Commons.
Even though most of the attention is on the party leaders, Canadians don’t vote for them, which is an important distinction from the U.S. system of governance. The party that elects the most members to Parliament selects who becomes Prime Minister.
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To the surprise of everyone, and the dismay of many farmers and western Canadians, there has been a shift in those party fortunes lately. What initially appeared would be a landslide shift in governance has become a close contest between the two dominant parties — largely because of forces in play outside of this country’s borders.
But there is opportunity for farmers in that leering shadow of Donald Trump salivating over the prospect of claiming Canada as his own. It puts an unprecedented spin on the usual campaign rhetoric offering to make life more affordable, improve government services and provide better fiscal management — a spin that could be used to the agriculture’s advantage.
A strong, healthy agricultural sector is a fundamental pillar of national security. Canadians may have shrugged that assertion off as a given in elections of yesteryear. However, staking out Canada’s claim to sovereignty is top of mind for voters right now.
Canada continues to trade with the U.S. and is likely to for the foreseeable future. But the partnership based on mutual respect and trust has all but evaporated. The U.S. has also served notice it is aligning with foreign interests that directly conflict with Canadian values.
Whichever party takes the helm will be faced the monumental task of forging a new relationship with Canada’s closest neighbour, a country that can no longer be counted on as an ally and trading partner. Concurrently, Canada’s next government will be forced to redefine its relationship with the world as it learns to be less reliant on selling into the U.S.
That presents the agricultural sector with a rare opportunity to be heard during this campaign.
Farm organizations have been quick to step up with campaigns urging Canadians to vote with key farming issues in mind. But farmers must do more than click and send a canned message off to potential representatives.
Build a relationship with your local candidates and increase the odds that it’s a farmer’s face that comes to mind when MPs speak to issues in Ottawa.
Recognize that your organizations must work with government no matter which party wins the day. Support their efforts to advocate on your behalf.
And most importantly, even though this election is likely to fall in the middle of spring seeding — take time to vote. On average, about one-third of Canadians eligible to vote don’t. It’s too easy to convince ourselves that one vote won’t matter. Your vote matters now more than ever.
