In the recent federal election Justin Trudeau, leader of the federal Liberal Party and now Prime Minister of Canada said “Better is possible in Canada.” This provided hope to many, me included.
Unfortunately, it would appear that the Liberals are content having the Agriculture sector weighted down with corporate greed and astro-turf farm groups pushing those corporate agendas.
Almost three months into his job some claim the minister of agriculture does not even have a full complement of staff and has not even met with many elected farm leaders yet! Is this a sign that “Better is possible” for this sector?
The Liberals have not even appointed a chief grain commissioner for the Canadian Grain Commission. The Conservative’s appointee left January 20 and no replacement has been selected. Is this the priority the Liberals have for this institution which is so critical to prairie grain farmers?
The Liberals promised an audit on what most prairie grain farmers see as a giveaway of the Canadian Wheat Board to the Saudi government and Bunge, but so far all the minister of agriculture has said is that he is too busy to meet with concerned farmers! Is better possible?
The Liberals have now signed the Trans Pacific Partnership which supposedly promises so much but only delivers an agenda for corporations to dominate democratic governments. It even allows corporations to sue governments over issues which its own citizens cannot sue their own government for. I am not against trade but does anyone at these negotiations ask the question ‘at what price?’
I find it rather laughable that many promoting this deal indicate its opens up a market of hundreds of millions of people. The Wheat Board never had any trouble getting premium prices for farmers in those markets. With all the trade deals in place it is sure funny why farm debt is over $90 billion now - nearly doubling in the last 10 years.
If governments and astro turf farm groups are so worried about level playing fields why don’t all the countries negotiate identical farm support programs so all farmers could compete on a level playing field?
It seems for agriculture “Better is not possible” in Canada. In spite of much publicized falling oil and natural gas prices, farmers are still facing increased fertilizer costs made from natural gas. Grain prices are falling while the grain trade makes excessive profits. It even looks like the new normal will be reduced rail service with increased revenue for the railways! Better is certainly possible but not if Ottawa continues with the “Same old, same old!”
Kyle Korneychuk
Pelly
