The election debate here on April 20 is the type many Canadians are saying they would like to have from political parties in parliament.
Three Wellington Halton Hills candidates attended the event hosted by the Wellington Federation of Agriculture, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, and the National Farmers’ Union.
They were Green Party candidate Brent Bouteiller, Conservative Michael Chong, and Liberal Barry Peters. The NDP and Christian Heritage Party candidates have failed to attend for at least five all candidates meetings, and their campaigns appear to be in name only.
The candidates had a minute to answer questions, and there were about two dozen. There was little in the way of applause as the audience seemed to be pondering the answers rather than offer partisan displays. There was minimal sniping among the debaters and some substantive policy statements. Several times candidates replied they did not know the answers but would find out.
All three support supply management.
Peters said the Liberal Party will “not try to fix what isn’t broken.”
Chong said the policy is “unique to Canada and incredibly important.” There was some division among farmers when it was introduced 40 years ago, but now people accept it.
“I believe in it so strongly in it … I would go to the wall to defend that if it was ever threatened by any future government.”
Bouteiller said it is basic economics of supply and demand, and the program helps “keep the numbers in balance and it provides stable incomes.”
He said, though, if smaller farmers can sell through local farmers markets, they should be allowed to do that.
A question dealt with foreign ownership, outsiders buying Canadian farmland and speculating on it, making it more expensive for people to start farming. What actions would the parties take?
Chong said the issue is under provincial jurisdiction, and Ontario has opened up its foreign ownership rules recently. He said people from England, Ireland, and the Netherlands bought many farms in Canada and helped agriculture greatly. He would offer more study on the issue.
Bouteiller said the United States has rules for land ownership. One partner must not only live there, but be an American citizen. He said he would like to see “reciprocity here.”
He added the issue does not stop at farms, and cited a huge quarry proposed for Dufferin County, where an American company wants to use crop land for a mega-quarry of thousands of acres.
Peters said this is an issue the federal government needs to discuss with the provinces – with consultation from farmers.
A question dealt with global competition and how Canadians are not on a “level playing field.” What would the parties do?
Bouteiller said the Green Party tax program cuts income tax and increases carbon taxes so goods from far away cost more, giving local producers a market. He added he would strengthen the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Peters said Canadian farmers are held to a very high standard, and foods that are imported do not meet those standards. “It’s not fair; it needs to be addressed.”
Chong said his government has taken some steps. It protected Canadian cheese from imports by limiting milk protein concentrates. He would strengthen the Product of Canada label, and said his government started that. Instead of half the value determining what is “Canadian” the government changed the rules so half the product must be Canadian. He cited coffee as one example because raw beans were processed here and being labeled Product of Canada. “I haven’t seen any Canadian coffee trees,” he said.
Will the candidates fight for risk management plans?
All three would.
Peters said he would like “a complete review of the program.”
Chong said he does not think Ontario brought in a strong enough program; Quebec has a better one. He said the federal government should offer all the programs to the provincial agricultural ministry and a share of the subsidy money. “Ontario then gets the same subsidy as Quebec.
Bouteiller said farmers need protection in the area of seeds, with big companies suing to protect their genetically modified seeds. He would attempt to ensure “no lawsuits.”
When it comes to supporting young farmers who are starting out, Chong said one of the best things the government can do is make farming profitable.
One way is to defend supply management. Others are, as his party has been doing, expanding markets for beef, pork, grains, and oil seeds overseas to places like Russia and China.
Bouteiller said the goal should be to move from traditional farming to organic, with “training from Day One.”
He would encourage more cooperatives.
Peters said “It is very tough for young farmers to get into the industry,” and an opportunity for the government to get involved in the sector. He likes income supports if that will attract more young farmers.
Someone noted agriculture does not get much respect in the cities, and asked how each candidate would convince other MPs to pay more attention to agriculture.
“It’s all about education for me,” said Bouteiller, adding that includes providing organic food to MPs, and constantly reminding them of agricultural problems.
Peters got a laugh when he said, “Take away their food. There is a big disconnect” between what is produced on a farm and “what ends up on their tables. He, too, said better education will help.
Chong said it is a big challenge. There are only 225,000 farms left in Canada from a million 50 years ago.
He said it is “incumbent on MPs from rural areas and agricultural areas to inform urban MPs. “I do that on a regular basis. I’ve fought in caucus. Our own, stable food supply is important.”
All three said promoting local food does not hurt developing countries.
Someone said trade agreements appear to be making support for supply management disappear.
Bouteiller said the Green Party would continue to support supply management.
Peters said it would not disappear with the Liberals.
Chong disagreed with the premise of the question. He said supply management is grandfathered into such agreements as the North American Free Trade Agreement as far back as 1988. and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trades (GATT).
He said he will defend it. “You have my word on that.”
Someone had concerns about genetically modified alfalfa because once released, it could contaminate the 200 other kinds of alfalfa and have an affect on organic farming. The questioner asked if the candidates support such a move.
Peters said, “If it is a problem … I would raise it.”
He added, “Genetically modified crops are a cost effective way of advancing food production.”
Chong said any discussion about the issue much be based on science alone, and politics should be kept out of it. “If Agriculture Canada and science say its no good, I don’t think it should be approved.”
But, he added, most foods today are genetically modified, and many have been for the past 20 years. He said that is essential for food producers, particular those using no-till methods.
Bouteiller disagreed. He said the scientists who approve the new seeds are supposed to conduct the tests, but the government is not doing those tests. It is relying on the companies with the products to do that work.
He said there is “no third party tests” and called it “a conflict of interest.”
He cited major problems created that way, including canola issues due to “gene drift.”
Someone asked if some businesses are unprofitable, should they be shut down. The red meat industry was cited as an example.
Chong said the last ten years for that sector have had problems. He supports stricter controls on American imports, where farmers do not have the same production restrictions as Canadian farmer. He also favours the CFIA changes its standards from content to the place of origin. He would also see the province take over some of the programs.
Bouteiller said he would develop cooperative and new market structures where farmers get a fair share of food sales.
Peters said the red meat industry “has taken its share of punches in the last 10 years,” and he would like to see farmers get a fair market share.
When asked how they would make the CFIA accountable, there was a wide variety of answers.
Peters said it needs a review, and, “any agency should be accountable.”
Chong said major changes are needed. He would divide farm issues between three ministries. He said the CFIA could fall under Health Canada, and Agri Food could go to Industry Canada. That would allow the Ministry of Agriculture to concentrate on farmers.
Bouteiller agreed the CFIA has problems and needs to be split up. He also has concerns about pesticide applications and said it needs to make sure limits are not exceeded.
The final question did not deal with agriculture. It asked if there is a way to change the welfare system that demeans people and how could that be done.
Bouteiller said he does not like the current system that traps people and welfare recipients should not be hit with claw backs for earning small amounts of income until they are back financially.
Peters said it is important to have adequate support because ‘some people need help to make it.”
Chong said it is an important issue, and he arranged to have Senator Hugh Segal visit Fergus last fall to talk about a sensible poverty reduction program. He noted the federal government partners with the province and county to build social housing in north of Fergus.
