The Rural Voice, 1997-06, Page 57News about Agriculture
All candidates for the Huron -Bruce riding in the June 2 federal election took part in a discussion of agricultural policies at
Holmesville, May 22. Speaking were: (left to right) Dave Joslin, Christian Ileritage Party; Jan Johnstone, New Democrats;
Doug Fines, Reform Party; Paul Steckle, Liberals and Colleen Schenk, Progressive Conservatives.
Huron -Bruce
candidates outline
ag policies
The controversial proposal from
the Progressive Conservative Party to
merge Agriculture Canada with the
Environment, Natural Resources and
Fisheries and Oceans departments
was supported by PC candidate
Colleen Schenk and attacked by other
candidates when an all -candidates
meeting for Huron -Bruce riding was
held in Holmesville, May 22.
Schenk argued, before a capacity
crowd at the meeting sponsored by
the Huron County Federation of
Agriculture, that the move would
eliminate red tape and be more
efficient. The proposal is part of PC
leader Jean Charest's "Let the Future
Begin" campaign platform that
proposes to cut $12 billion in federal
spending including $608 million
from agriculture.
Others among the five candidates
in the June 2 federal election, taking
part in the meeting, had varying
reaction to the plan.
Reform Party's Doug Fines said
his party would keep the four
ministries separate. Agriculture
would not fare well in a merged
department, he said.
Paul Steckle said the Liberals
don't agree with the idea of the
merger. Agriculture is responsible for
15 per cent of jobs in Canada, he said
and agriculture losing its influence
would bankrupt the country.
Jan Johnstone of the New
Democrats said her party would not
merge agriculture with the other
ministries.
Dave Joslin, Christian Heritage
Party candidate, said centralization
for centralization's sake was not
necessarily a good thing."Before
doing it we'd have to take a good
hard look. On the other hand four
separate ministries gobbling up
money isn't good either."
Despite the proposed cuts,
Schenk said a government under
Jean Charest would be one of
continued support for farmers. She
noted as well that job creation was a
priority and that the NISA program
would be kept and enhanced. Schenk
said that PC's new policy platform
addresses the issue of health care,
education and gun control.
The first question from the floor
asked how each party would
recognize and sustain agriculture in
Canada as a vital part of the
economy.
Joslin noted that as many of
CHP's members are farmers they
recognize the importance of
agriculture.
Johnstone said that agricultural
production means jobs. "It's
important to make sure jobs are out
there because when people work,
Canada works."
Fines said his party is looking at
long-term measures for a market-
driven industry. The priority is on
cost reduction and cost avoidance
rather than on cost recovery. Reform
would also reduce taxes, he said,
leaving "more money in the
consumers' hands".
The Liberals, said Steckle, would
continue to put forward initiatives to
support agriculture. He also claimed
his government has a strong "strong
rural caucus".
Schenk said the PCs would
continue and enhance programs like
NISA and break down inter-
provincial trade barriers.
The candidates were then
questioned on their position
regarding GRIP, NISA and Crop
insurance. Johnstone said she
believed NISA had serious
limitations.
Fines said the programs were
designed to assist farmers in need.
"Reform's position is to help and
protect them from unfair competition
in the world markets."
"We commit to the whole farm
support program," said Steckle. He
added that NISA can be improved
upon.
Schenk said that in her
conversations with constituents she
had heard much support for NISA
and little for GRIP. "It may have to
be reviewed," she said.
JUNE 1997 53