Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

If I were Ag Minister Ritz....I would "DO" the following...Not much mention of Agriculture in the Throne Speech. Comments?

Here is a link to the text from the Throne Speech.

 

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/politics/story.html?id=2637533

 

 

What would you do if you were Agriculture Minister Ritz....what priorities would you have and where would you allocate the money/resources of the federal Agriculture Ministry.

 

The Farms.com Team.

 

 

 

 

Views: 84

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joann on March 4, 2010 at 3:57am
That was a very unfortunate commentary interfacing free market enterprise (barley vote) and supply managed system in a combined statement. It sent a bewildering mixed signal intermingled with a sense of separation of equality between farmers.

Its' as if the Throne speech sent a subtle divisive message to agriculture just ahead of the international economic discussions in Toronto this June.

What would I do if I was Minister Ritz:

1. I would find my backbone and stand up in the best interests of farmers.

2. I would pursue the conclusions of General Auditor Frasers' audit of CAIS (May/07) whereby it was found that the farm programs were not in compliance of FIPA. If there is judicious cause.... expand the audit for a complete and comprehensive operational evaluation of the Ministry.

How can Minister Ritz ensure the substantive right of the public interests' when peer reviewed legally required audits to vindicate and validate their fiduciary interests have not been performed?
Permalink Reply by Ken McCormack on March 9, 2010 at 8:56am
If I were Minister Ritz. In no particular order:

Short term:
- Continue to support the biofuels sector in conjunction with the NRC and Industry Canada.
- Widen the AgriInvest to 20% as opposed to 15%
- Establish a program in the Agri Suite for smoothing out price fluctuations in non-supply managed commodities
- While respecting the desire to continue to reduce trade barriers, establish that food products imported must prove that they have been held to the same quality standards as Canadian producers, and while a tariff may not be levied a 'Low quality Tax' may

Long term:
- work on establishing a new perception of Agriculture for the public. Instead of seeing the ministry of Agriculture as being for farmers, see it instead as the base of Canadian freedom. In so doing it can be tied into the biggest ministries.

For example, you cannot have an autonomous country that cannot feed itself, supporting food producers is about maintaining our freedom, Preventative Health Care through better nutrition, a shared campaign with the Health Ministry. More training for future generations, tying into the Education Ministry. Through biofuels and bio-plastics and other home grown renewables less reliance on hostile nations for our energy supply, this ties to Energy, Defence, Industry and Employment. With this type of relationship it could soon be shown that Agriculture is in fact the biggest ministry and should be the first order of business for the government.
Permalink Reply by Steve Twynstra on March 9, 2010 at 2:47pm
Hmmmm, interesting predicament I would be in if i woke up to find myself in Ritz's shoes.

First of all I would ditch my old Reform Party handlers that are determined to undermine any hope of progress the CPC hopes to gain in rural Ontario, especially when any viable alternative shows up next election day. I would select a national council of advisors for each of the production sectors in Canada and set a clear direction for Canadian agriculture well into the future...not just meandering aimlessly with no clear direction or vision.

This would be followed by stashing my well worn travelling suitcase into the closet so that I could spend time gaining my Ministry back from the musical chair playing bureaucrats that have made an art of obfuscating and creating only an impression of being busy working for Canadian agriculture. I would attempt to restore some credibility and sense of purpose within AAFC...in other words start making people within AAFC accountable and invigorated by having staff clearly live the vision outlined above. Armed with this vision I would be a force around Cabinet and the PMO to restore funding to AAFC making it a lead Ministry rather than a dumping ground.

Regardless, I would start putting Farmers First in practice rather than in only mere words. I would start by growing a spine and stand up to the PMO, become a visible force around Cabinet, show farmers some basic respect and courtesy, and if I disagree at least explain why rather than resort to childish amateur rebuffs....and after the dust settled, realize that at least, I showed some integrity and honesty. In other words, I would start showing that I really did have some leadership skills about me.

Failing the above, I would realize just how truly in over my head I am, and, not having the balls to resign before incurring more damage to the industry, I would at least get out into all areas of the country to TRULY listen to ALL farmers (not just party faithful at invited small soirees). In this way I would educate myself on the issues unique to certain sectors as well as the ones common across the industry. Armed with this background I would be in a position of strength to take control of my Ministry.

I truly would put Farmer First!!!
Permalink Reply by Roadrunner on March 19, 2010 at 4:29am
If I were Ritz....I would figure out a way to cut off food to the politicians for a day...remind them about the importance of agriculture and food to them personally and to the Canadian economy. I think they forget that this is the economic engine for all of rural Canada.

Then we need to think of agriculture as a strategic sector of our economy and fight for each of the sectors in a proactive manner.

We import alot of manufactured products from USA, Japan, China and Europe - that gives us some significant negotiating power when we are at the trade table....especially now when our Cdn dollar is strong and our economy attractive.

We want access to markets and others to cut their subsidies and stop dumping cheap food onto the Canadian market.

I believe we can compete head to head on an equal playing field. Farmers may need some support at times when economics shift quickly such as the rise in the Canadian dollar and very low global grain and meat prices....Ritz needs to find the money and defend our farms and people.

That is what I would do

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

SaskCrops has sent in their submission for the Federal pre-budget consultations

SaskCrops sent in their annual submission last week for Finance Canada’s federal pre-budget consultations. SaskCrops represents the vast majority of grain and oilseed producers in Saskatchewan through the participating growers' associations - SaskBarley, SaskCanola, SaskFlax, SaskOats, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and Sask Wheat. The groups note that research funding remains a key advocacy priority for SaskCrops and want to see significant, predictable, and sustained investment in research from the government. Here is a list of recommendations the group would like to see included in the next budget and implemented. - Recommendation 1: That the government provides continued, stable, and enhanced investments in crop plant genetic research. - Recommendation 2: That the government invests in regional agronomic research to identify best management practices that capture increased yield potential from enhanced genetic innovations across diverse agroecological landscapes. - Recommend

Sask Barley joins Western Crop Innovations

Western Crop Innovations continues to grow. The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission has joined Western Crop Innovations (WCI) as a voting member. Sask Barley has committed $50,000 in core funding as a transitional grant for the current fiscal year. Western Crop Innovations (WCI) work focuses on developing feed and forage barley, malting barley, and triticale varieties specifically tailored for the Western Prairies. The newly formed organization - formerly known as the Field Crop Development Centre - was founded earlier this year. WCI's Interim Executive Director Mark Olson says SaskBarley's endorsement is important adding there is a reason we named our organization WESTERN Crop Innovations - the work we do is intended to benefit farmers from Manitoba to BC. Sask Barley's Executive Director Jill McDonald says joining WCI as a Tier 1 member allows us to collaborate more closely on projects that will directly benefit our growers, and we’re excited to contribute to shaping

The deadline for the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers Board of Directors is Friday

The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers are looking to fill three positions on their Board of Directors.  Nominations are now being accepted for the three-year term positions.  SPG sees particular value in candidates with the following characteristics and experience:  Active role in the farm operation and its decision-making  Pulses are an important part of the operation of the farm  Interested in soybeans, faba beans, and chickpeas  Interested in learning more about joining the SPG Board from current Directors? SPG’s Nominations Committee would be interested in discussing the opportunity with you – feel free to reach out to the committee members below:  Trent Richards – Assiniboia, SK (306-640-7995)  Brad Blackwell – Dinsmore, SK (306-846-7091)  If you are a registered pulse producer (i.e. you have sold a pulse crop and paid levy to Saskatchewan Pulse Growers anytime since September 1, 2021), and are interested in taking an active role on the board you'll find the 2024-2025 SPG Board of Di

Trade War Looming Between Canada And China

The last time China took revenge on Canada, our canola industry suffered between 1.5 and 2.3 billion dollars in sales. That was the Huawei incident, when a top executive with the Beijing based company was taken into custody at the Vancouver airport at the request of the US government. China quickly retaliated by halting shipments of canola from Canada, claiming some of the shipments contained debris and was contaminated. No proof was ever given and none was offered. The Chinese government knows, when you want to get our government’s attention, go after canola, one of our most lucrative exports to that country. This week, in clear retaliation for Ottawa’s decision to tack on 100 percent tariffs to any Chinese built electric vehicle coming here, Beijing said it plans to start an anti-dumping investigation into canola imports from Canada. It’s not cutting off trade in the oilseed, at least not yet, perhaps using it as a warning for the Trudeau government to rethink its decision on Chine

Ag Barometer: Sentiment improves despite concerns

All three broad-based measures of farmer sentiment improved in July. The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index rose 8 points to 113. At the same time, the Index of Current Conditions increased by 10 points to 100, and the Index of Future Expectations at 119 was 7 points higher than a month earlier. July’s sentiment improvement occurred even though prices for both corn and soybeans declined from the time survey responses were collected in June to July, according to a university news release. For example, Eastern Corn Belt cash prices for corn and soybeans declined 11% and 5%, respectively, from mid-June to mid-July. Responses to the individual questions used to calculate the indices indicated the sentiment shift was primarily attributable to fewer respondents saying conditions were worse than a year earlier and fewer saying they expect bad times in the future. Data collection for the July survey took place from July 15-19, which coincided with the dates for the Repu

© 2024   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service