KEEPING THE PROMISE

The new provincial government has settled in; now it's time to make the changes promised in the Liberal Party's election platform. Here's the OCPA's list of priorities for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF):

• Improve relationships with the federal government, especially with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Blaming Ottawa for every shortcoming has not been a recipe for progress. The federal government is at fault for many things such as the blatant attempt to blackmail provinces into signing APF Implementation Agreements; but it is not the culprit for everything. Agriculture is a joint federal/provincial responsibility in Canada and therefore ready-made for finger-pointing to avoid shouldering responsibility. Real change requires that this politically expedient tactic cease.
• Political gamesmanship must end. For example, AAFC is correct in claiming that the previous provincial government was fond of taking federal funding contributions, passing through the provincial Treasury, then making a transfer from Treasury to OMAF and touting the money as new provincial spending in support of agriculture. That doesn't help anybody. Such tactics merely short-change producers, incense AAFC, hide reductions in provincial spending to agriculture, and in fact reduce real total support to agriculture because the same dollars are double-counted ... once by AAFC and yet again by OMAF Real change requires responsible leadership, not political gamesmanship. o Achieve improvements in the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization Program as outlined in the OACC's August 11 "preconditions" letter (see the Sept/Oct issue of the Corn Producer). These preconditions must be realized before the OCPA will endorse the new provincial Minister of Agriculture signing an APF Implementation Agreement with AAFC. The change in government does not imply a change in OCPA's two key preconditions for signing: 1) joint government funding of programs outside the BRM/APF to offset economic injury caused by foreign government policy; and 2) joint government funding of a replacement program for Market Revenue Insurance. Real change requires that these components be incorporated into the "new generation of safety nets and companion programs that better address our industry's needs" as Mr. McGuinty stated in a September 24 letter responding to OCPA questions.
• Implement the promised mandate requiring that all gasoline sold in Ontario contain 5% ethanol by 2007 and 10% by 2010. The September 24 letter from Mr. McGuinty stated, "My plan calls for a legislated 10% ethanol in all gasoline by 2010." "Only a McGuinty Liberal government will implement a real ethanol mandate." Keep the promise. Ethanol is good for your lungs; good for the environment; and good for the rural economy. But to actually ensure the required ethanol is produced in Ontario and not merely imported, construct a package of incentives for domestic ethanol production similar to the package of incentives currently available to expand production of wind energy. Real change requires an ethanol mandate with an investment incentive package that ensures expansion of ethanol production happens, and happens here in Ontario.
• Develop and fund a suitable replacement for the Market Revenue Insurance (MRI) program for the duration of the APF As promised in the Liberal Party's election platform, "work together with the industry and federal government to come up with a mechanism that insures price along with production." The OCPA has such a solution. Extend the existing MRI program until a revenue assurance option (similar to Alberta's Revenue Assurance option) is developed by AgriCorp, implemented as part of the new Production Insurance, and jointly funded by producers and the federal and provincial governments.
• Meet regularly and frequently with representatives of Ontario's commodity groups. To her credit, the previous Minister, Helen Johns, was exceptional at communicating directly with groups concerned. The very first public "Roundtable" Premier Eves held was with Ontario agriculture. That was an excellent start and a model worth emulating. Unfortunately, the promised follow-up and follow-through left something to be desired. Real change happens when you listen to producer suggestions, negotiate compromises openly and in good faith, speak plainly and honestly, and then act.