Liberals present plan to grow agricultural sector

October 9, 2015

REGINA – Today, Liberal candidate for Regina–Wascana, Ralph Goodale, reaffirmed the Liberal Party of Canada’s commitments to invest in the middle class and support the agriculture sector through a better transportation system, improved water management, and innovation.

“Hard-working, skilled farmers and ranchers form the foundation of our food sector. Processors, distributors, retailers, and families across the country all depend on our Canadian farmers, who are the best in the world. After a decade under Stephen Harper, they need smart and supportive policies,” said Mr. Goodale. “That means ensuring that our transportation system is world-class so they can get their products to market. It means better water management to deal with the intensifying cycle of droughts and floods. It means more basic research that leads to transformative advances for farmers and ranchers.”

As part of our fully costed platform, a Liberal government will make immediate investments in the agriculture sector.

• We will ensure greater transparency and accountability in the grain transportation system to meet world-class standards – a system that is geared for growth and focused on meeting the needs of shippers and their customers. We will work with stakeholders to develop meaningful financial remedies when the system fails, and after 23 years, it is time for a new rail costing review.
• We will invest an additional $80 million, over four years, in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to help ensure the safety of domestic and imported food.
• We will invest $160 million, over four years, in an Agri-Food Value Added Investment Fund to attract investment and create good jobs in food processing.
• We will invest an additional $100 million, over four years, in agricultural research to support pure discovery science and innovation in the sector.
• We will invest $200 million more each year to support innovation and the use of clean technologies in our natural resource sectors, including the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, mining, and energy sectors.
• We will increase access to international markets for Canadian agricultural exports, while safeguarding our sensitive sectors like supply management. We will take a responsible approach to examining the yet-to-be-published details of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and hold a full and open debate in Parliament to ensure Canadians are informed and consulted.
• We will work with producers and the provinces to assess whether the suite of farm income safety nets meets the needs of Canadian farmers when they are faced with serious challenges beyond their control.
• In the spirit of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), which the Harper Conservatives have destroyed, we will work with provinces and other willing partners to deal more effectively with serious soil and water conservation and development issues, including investments in more climate-resilient infrastructure.

“Canada is one of the largest agricultural exporters in the world, and farmers and ranchers are essential to putting healthy, affordable food on our tables,” said Mr. Goodale. “Agriculture is a vital part of our economy and our middle class. Liberals have a real plan to address the challenges this sector faces, and also realize the opportunities before it to create sustainable economic growth and employment.”