The Hill

Though billions in aid could be available under the new federal-provincial support package, the industry was underwhelmed. ‘Welcome, but not enough’ was one verdict

by BARRY WILSON

It is a lesson that many generations of agriculture ministers have learned the hard way. Giving away money or making money available doesn’t always buy farmer praise or support.

One of the most memorable “farmers can’t be bought” moments came in 1993 when federal agriculture minister Charlie Mayer stood bravely before an angry crowd of thousands in Saskatoon to defend the record amount of money the Conservatives had already sent to farmers.

It was not enough. “All we want,” said one farmer who made it to the microphone, “is a lousy billion dollars.”

With few agricultural MPs on the Opposition benches, agricultural matters rarely come in that daily Question Period. Result: there is little pressure on the government to act

by BARRY WILSON

In January 2006, Canadians elected a Conservative government which arguably contains a higher percentage of rural and farm-connected MPs than any government since John Diefenbaker’s 1957 minority.

One of the unexpected and unfortunate results of that massive rural show of support for the Stephen Harper Conservatives is that it has all but made agriculture disappear as a House of Commons issue.

The GST cut will mean little to farm businesses.
Where is the investment in infrastructure, they ask?

by BARRY WILSON

The federal Conservative government is in a giving mood this holiday season, promising Canadians more than $60 billion in tax reductions over the next five years.

Taxpayers will notice it when they file income tax returns next spring for 2007.