Carney’s mandate letter makes no mention of agriculture or food
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent mandate letter doesn’t mention of agriculture, food or environmental policy.
While some in the agriculture sector were frustrated by the lack of direct commitments, other saw potential for more action in the future and overlap between files.
The mandate letter, released Wednesday, contained seven priorities for the government, most of which focused on economic issues and Canadian sovereignty.
‘We expect clear commitments’
Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) Executive Director Massimo Bergamini said he was surprised to see no mention of issues like food security, something the Liberal Party highlighted in its election platform.
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“We are certainly hoping that the next week’s Speech from the Throne will correct that oversight and will ensure that the food security for Canadians is in fact a priority for the government.”
“There’s a reference to … affordability and cost of living and all those things,” he said. “I guess food security kind of falls in that. But it’s quite generic. The platform was very explicit.”
Bergamini said he saw hope in the fact that new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald was named last week to the Build Canada cabinet committee, which will deal with overall economic strength and productivity.
“I found that to be important and aligned with the high-level issues around food security and resiliency of agriculture, potentially,” he said.
Bergamini said while it’s encouraging to see these issues discussed, agricultural issues should be addressed more directly.
“I understand a lot of this stuff is shorthand, right?” He said. “You can read the tea leaves.”
“But we shouldn’t be Kremlinologists here today, right?” said Bergamini. “We shouldn’t have to go through this when it comes to food security, when it comes to agriculture. I think it’s fair to say that we expect clear commitments.”
Sector-relevant issues
The mandate letter did mention several sector-relevant issues like establishing a new economic relationship with the United States and removing interprovincial trade barriers.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture sees “the potential for strong alignment between many of the Prime Minister’s priorities and the priorities of Canadian farmers,” it said in a statement to Glacier FarmMedia.
“Whether it’s strengthening trade with key partners, improving interprovincial commerce, building a resilient national economy, or addressing agricultural workforce challenges, these are all areas where agriculture has a critical role to play,” the statement read.
No need to be ‘small minded’
Lauren Martin, Senior Director of Public Affairs for the Canadian Meat Council (CMC) said she does not think a lack of agriculture-specific messaging means Carney is abandoning the sector.
“To be reasonable about this, his priorities aren’t very sector-specific,” Martin said. “I think he’s taking this, as I understand a prime minister would, his level is very nationalistic.”
Martin suggested Carney would be looking to his cabinet members like Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson to find some quick wins.
“That, to me, is where I hope to see some sector-specific stuff shape out.”
Martin said she was not concerned about a sudden policy shift away from agriculture.
”I don’t we shouldn’t be small minded about this,” she said.
“The Prime Minister has a number of different priorities, and I personally don’t need to see the words of agriculture on his lips to make me feel that this sector is seen, heard and important.”
The agriculture sector could help Canada level up economically, Martin said.
“I think as long as (Carney has) got that enabling mindset to let us lead, then it’s up to the sector to kind of work and advocate, to dismantle and move the needle.”
The speech from the throne, which will further establish the new government’s priorities is set to take place next week.
Source: Farmtario.com