Minister Vanclief: What's the real story?
News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2002
An open letter to the Hon. Lyle Vanclief Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Dear Minister Vanclief,
I am appalled by the messages we heard today from officials in your department. After what was said today in Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)'s presentation before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture, it will be very hard for Canadian farmers not to lose confidence in the department and, by extension, in yourself as Minister.
These officials were representing the department and, presumably, the direction it will be taking in developing a long-term agriculture policy framework and maintaining a viable industry. However, when asked what he believed was needed to continue to attract and retain producers to this sector, the response was simply: "What I believe is irrelevant." As a senior bureaucrat, what this official believes should coincide with what the department believes. And what the department believes is relevant because the department is the mechanism through which industry can work with government in developing comprehensive, effective and producer-oriented agriculture policy.
The U.S. farm bill is perhaps the most significant piece of foreign agriculture policy to affect Canadian producers this year. Information on this legislation is freely available on U.S. government web sites. It was also therefore unsettling to hear department officials admit they are still not fully aware of the provisions in that bill, provisions that could be in contradiction to our trade agreements with the U.S.
Even more unsettling is hearing bureaucrats contradict their Minister. You have publicly stated on many recent occasions you will be calling for immediate assistance for producers. But when questioned, representatives of your department admit that you have not approached Finance Canada to present the request.
Most of all, Mr. Minister, we are disappointed in the summary of findings produced by the department following the consultation process. When we look at the summary of findings, we see exactly the same issues and suggestions that we as an industry were putting forward prior to the consultations - ideas and suggestions we could have been working on together already. Farm groups like the Canadian Federation of Agriculture do not develop farm policy in a vacuum, behind closed doors. We consult on a daily basis with producer groups across the country. The policy ideas we present are based on the input of over 200,000 Canadian farmers.
Mr. Minister, we believe you are on the right track and were confident that, by working together, we could build a successful, sustainable agriculture industry. But today the comments from your department have shaken our confidence. I am asking you please to clarify your position and the position of the department. I am asking for your reassurance that you are both committed to and active in calling for immediate bridging assistance to get farmers past current obstacles and onto the long-term track.
Bob Friesen President
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Founded in 1935 to provide Canada's farmers with a single voice in Ottawa, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture is the country's largest farmers' organization. Its members include provincial general farm organizations as well as national and inter-provincial commodity organizations from every province. Through its members, CFA represents over 200,000 Canadian farmers and farm families.
Contact:
Kieran Green, CFA Communications Coordinator, (613) 236-3633, info@cfafca.ca
Bob Friesen, CFA President, (204) 724-0824 (cell)
Brigid Rivoire, CFA Executive Director, (613) 236-3633 / (613) 715-3113 (cell)
