APAS president discusses hot topics in Canadian ag
By Kate Ayers
Staff Reporter
Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) president Todd Lewis, along with vice-presidents Norm Hall and Ian Boxall, travelled to Parliament Hill to discuss issues of concern to Canadian farmers.
“(At the Lobby Day), I think we had 42 different meetings … between the 10 different groups (of board members) from across the country,” Tom Lewis, president of APAS, said to Farms.com on Friday.
“We (talked) to government members, opposition members from both parties – NDP and Conservatives – and talked to some senators as well. Overall, we got pretty good face time in front of the politicians.”
Many of the discussions revolved around the proposed tax reforms and NAFTA.
“A lot of it was just clarity, certainly on the tax reforms. … We put a pretty intensive lobby effort forward during the consultation period,” said Lewis.
“Overall, we are cautiously optimistic that the government heard our concerns … I think they recognized what we (have been) saying all along – about the value of family farms and how the current tax system, in a lot of ways, supports the continuation of farming, family farming and how to pass (the farm) on from one generation to the next.
“So, I think we got some clarity on what changes could be coming still. We will wait and see with the income sprinkling what the reasonability test will be. We look forward to having some input on that (issue) if we are asked.”
Attendees stated their positions on NAFTA and received feedback on how the negotiations are going.
“We have done a lot of work with our other farm organizations in both the United States and Mexico. I think the biggest thing we are trying to get forward to politicians at the federal level is that North American agriculture is really integrated … It’s important that (fact) is recognized. Any changes (to the agreement) could hurt agriculture in all three countries,” Lewis explained.
The ag representatives also discussed the Transpacific Partnership Agreement, now called Transpacific Partnership 11, with politicians.
“I think it is a pretty positive move for western Canada because those are big markets and, in some cases, real premium markets – an example is Japan. If we go forward with signing that (trade agreement), I think that (would) be a real positive for Canadian agriculture.
“Canada has trade agreements in place and is working on other trade agreements, so I think we are seen as a cooperative (country) in the international trading community,” said Lewis.
Another issue Lewis addressed was rail transportation in western Canada. He looks forward to the government passing the rail bill and seeing improvements in the rail service, he said.
Lewis also discussed the new Business Management program with an Agriculture Canada official.
“The other thing that we talked a little bit about was the new Business Risk Management program. They are calling it the Canadian Agricultural Partnership framework,” Lewis said.
“Throughout the winter, we will look to the province to talk about that review. Hopefully, we will get some improvements in AgriStability, crop insurance and AgriInvest. That (issue) is definitely on the horizon in the upcoming months.”