LIKE most Canadians, I’m eager to see what will happen now that our federal election is over. Eager, and a little uneasy.
While recounts may change a few seats, it’s clear we have a minority government. But will that be a good thing for Canada and Canadians? Will it lead to increased government flexibility or parliamentary gridlock?
That uncertainty may become an excuse for forgetting campaign promises.
When is a deal between electors and elected a commitment and when are the words simply “little puffs of nothingness?”
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Three things are particularly significant as we look to future developments: the place of agriculture in our economy; the choice of a new agriculture minister; and our continuing trade problems.
The relative lack of attention given to agricultural issues in the campaign is a troubling sign.
Overall, agriculture is a small part of Canadian life. Farmers make up three percent of the population. Ironically, while Canadian farmers help feed the world, they often come close to starving their own families in the process, something that needs to change.
And when you consider the widespread urban ignorance of agricultural issues, the situation is troublesome. Food security and freedom from hunger are generally assumed in Canada. Our food costs are low. In a world where many people pay 80 percent of what they earn for food, Canadians pay less than 20 percent but often complain about that.
I haven’t seen the latest numbers, but for years Canadians have spent more on entertainment than they have on food. I believe that’s still true. Unless food prices rise sharply, most Canadians won’t give much thought to agriculture.
Agriculture minister Bob Speller lost his seat. Who is available to replace him? What are the real concerns and values of potential ministers? What attitudes and biases guide their work? In a land where tough ethical and moral questions are often drowned out by the roar of money, will this individual see past the presentations of slick, well-financed lobbyists? Politicians, someone observed, have two eyes: one views current situations while the other is firmly fixed on the next election.
Canadian minority governments normally last less than two years. How strongly will the second eye’s vision influence agricultural policy?
Canada needs a strong agriculture minister to help deal with our continuing trade problems. Resolving the BSE fiasco is a high priority. Americans keep pushing us to abandon things that work well for us, like the Canadian Wheat Board, in favour of things that work well for them. Protectionist language of American political candidates only intensifies the problems.
This could be an exciting time with new policies and programs that meet real needs. But in this time of opportunity, I’m still uneasy.
Rob Brown is a United Church minister now engaged in graduate studies on ethics. The opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of The Western Producer.
