SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN - “These are days of confusion and concern for those working in the agricultural industry.”
Those are the sentiments of Robert Kitchen, who has been representing the Souris-Moose Mountain riding as a member of Parliament (MP) since 2015. The riding he serves is home to many farmers and ranchers, as well as workers in the natural resources sector.
In those years as an MP, Kitchen has been a member of the opposition Conservative Party of Canada. He has been a part of various committees, including Veteran Affairs, Health and Government Operations & Estimates (OGGO). Prior to entering the political realm, he was a chiropractor in Estevan.
He has interacted deeply with those in agriculture and natural resources. In fact, Kitchen likes to use ‘chiropractic language’ in describing these fields.
“Agriculture is the backbone, keeping communities together and stable; whereas those in the natural resources are the arms and legs, much more visible than the farmers and ranchers who spend so much time in the field. Both are integral to a community’s well-being.”
But these days are increasingly hard to those whose livelihood comes from agriculture. With all the talk of tariffs – the instituting of them and the subsequent withdrawal of them – farmers are increasingly uncertain of what the future holds. According to Kitchen, the confusion and concern stems from the immaturity of the leaders of the United States and Canada.
Kitchen cites an example. A 25 per cent tariff has been slapped onto canola. Farmers are wondering, “Will I have a market if I go ahead and plant canola? Do I have to look for various avenues in selling my crop?”
Finding new buyers is not always easy, as there are international and even provincial trade barriers that often have to be overcome. Kitchen also points out that there are 40,000 canola farmers across Canada, and they are all facing these issues.
Being in the southeast corner adds yet another dimension, Kitchen notes. Many farmers in this area have family and friends on the other side of the border and have spent years working together, despite the national boundary that divides them. The tariff ‘roller coaster ride’ has thrown a wrench into how working together can continue as it has, as the tariffs introduce things that are beyond their control.
As the ‘retaliatory tariffs’ are put in place by Canadian leaders, that also potentially raises the costs of farming – an industry that already has very high costs.
Yes, these are tough times for those who work hard faithfully bringing food to our tables. They have the right to be concerned.
And so should everyone.
