Ag could be included in multiple portfolios
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Prime Minister Trudeau made 30 changes to his cabinet during the July 26 shuffle, which included Marie-Claude Bibeau moving from agriculture to national revenue, and Lawrence MacAulay starting a second stint as ag minister after handling the veterans affairs file.
With that at top of mind, Farms.com connected with Tyler McCann, managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, to discuss the ministers in new positions and how agriculture could play into those departments.
One of the new ministers is Mark Holland, who takes over as health minister.
He helped reform Canada’s animal cruelty laws in October 2006 and will now oversee the Pest Management Regulatory Agency.
“His track record has shown that he’s interested in issues like animal welfare,” McCann told Farms.com. “But it’s unclear what that might mean or what that might look like in his current position.”
In 2020, Health Canada and the PMRA re-affirmed its decision to cancel the registration of strychnine, which producers use to help control gophers.
Rechie Valdez entered cabinet as the new minister of small business.
With multiple Canadian farms operating as small businesses, Valdez’s work in this role should affect agriculture.
Tyler McCann
“I think Minister Valdez, and Minister Hutchings at rural economic development are two ministers that should have more of a focus in agriculture issues,” McCann said. “A large number of farms are small businesses, and these farms are drivers of rural communities, but in the past, I don’t think we’ve seen a lot of focus in these areas. I think for many ministers we’re going to have to wait until we see the mandate letters.”
Trade Minister Mary Ng used to have small business in her portfolio as well. It’s likely that now she focuses on exports and international relationships.
Canada also has a new minister of transport.
Pablo Rodriguez will look after that portfolio, which includes railways and ports.
His work as heritage minister and engaging with large corporations could be repeated, McCann said.
“We know inter-switching is a hotly debated topic in Ottawa there’s going to be ongoing engagement on that issue,” McCann said. “The government has a large focus on supply chains, and a lot of that comes down to rail. He comes from heritage, where he spent a lot of time battling big tech companies. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays into dealing with the railways.”
Canada also has new federal ministers of immigration (Marc Miller) and employment (Randy Boissonnault).
A Royal Bank report indicated that by 2033, the Canadian ag sector could have a labour gap of 24,000 workers.
These two ministers may work together to address the employment gap, and to ensure farms have a consistent workforce to choose from.
“Minister Boissonnault, from Alberta, has been engaged in agriculture issues and has taken time to meet with stakeholders over the years,” McCann said. “And we’re in a position where Canada is welcoming more immigrants. I think those two will be able to work closely together to help the agriculture and food sectors.”
Another minister taking on a new portfolio is Anita Anand.
Prime Minister Trudeau moved her from defence to president of the treasury board.
Her comments indicate the need for regulatory reform, McCann said.
“There’s very few parts of the ag sector that don’t have some sort of regulatory challenges,” he said. “And she's been very open about the need for regulatory reform in Canada. And we also know the regulatory burden does act as a brake on growth in multiple areas because our rules are antiquated. Almost any paper on Canadian agriculture in the last 20 years has indicated regulatory burdens are hurting the sector. It’ll be interesting to see how far Minister Anand is willing to go on regulatory reform.”