A Bloc MP wanted answers about a proposed rail line and how it could affect farmers
On Feb. 2, a Bloc MP wanted answers from the government about a proposed rail line and if his community is being kept in the loop about the proceedings.
“A new rail corridor was announced for the train (connecting Toronto and Quebec City) at the last minute, and it is going right through my community. There were no consultations with elected officials, farmers or the residents of Mirabel,” said Jean-Denis Garon, the MP for Mirabel. “As a first step, will the government ensure that real consultations are held in Mirabel?”
In response, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon told the House consultations were held, and more are planned.
On Feb. 3, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told the House he believes “taxes on farming equipment, fertilizers and the entire supply chain are the reason we have the worst food inflation in the G7. That is my theory.”
Prime Minister Carney’s replied by saying the Canadian dollar and U.S. tariffs are having an impact.
Poilievre asked a similar question during another exchange with the prime minister.
Carney told the House the impact of the industrial carbon tax on food prices is almost zero according to the Canadian Climate Institute. And that the fuel charge supports farmers, canola production, and biofuels.
Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet asked the prime minister again about the rail transport line planned to go through Mirabel.
“I am not aware of any agricultural producer who considers their farm to be too small to be worthy of respect,” he said.
Carney told MPs the process will be conducted properly.
On Feb.4, Conservative Agriculture Critic John Barlow wanted answers about the government’s decision to shut down research centres across Canada.
Ag Minister Heath MacDonald reassured the House this approach will streamline operations.
“We are maintaining our research and development presence in every single province, and the department continues to be the largest science service centre in this country, with 17 sites,” he said. “By streamlining our research, we are prioritizing high-impact areas, reducing duplication and better aligning our needs with our ranchers and farmers across this country.”
Andrew Scheer, the Conservative MP for Regina-Qu’Appelle, also asked about the AAFC cuts.
Instead of spending “$8 million “for gender-just rice farming in Vietnam, the government could invest in its own research, he said.
Minister MacDonald’s response said the government is moving ag forward and research will be an important part of that.
Blaine Calkins, the Conserative MP for Ponoka-Didsbury, also identified government spending that could be better served for ag research.
He said the government’s gun buy back program, at a cost of $742 million, “would keep the Lacombe research station open for 40 years.”
The minister’s response indicated that the government will continue to support ag research.
“We are going to continue to invest in agriculture and agri-research, partner with our academics, talk to our stakeholders and move forward with the best science in the world, as we have today,” he said.
And Jeremy Patzer, the Conservative MP for Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, wanted to know why the government is cutting ag research when Canadians are lining up at food banks.
“Does the Prime Minister seriously think that it is a good idea to cut valuable research into how we can grow more food here in Canada?” he said.
Minister MacDonald reaffirmed the government’s support for ag research.
“We are not going to go down the path of not having science in this country,” he said. “It is extremely important to our trade. It is extremely important to our agriculture and agri-food communities, and we are going to continue to build on that.”
On Feb. 5, Minister MacDonald faced more questioning about the cuts to AAFC.
Jacques Gourde, the Conservative MP for Lévis—Lotbinière, wanted to know why the government prioritizes foreign projects and not domestic research.
The Liberals will continue to support Canadian ag research, the minister said.
“I am happy to reassure them that the federal government will continue as the largest agriculture researcher in this country. In fact, just last month we invested $9.7 million with the Government of Saskatchewan in science and research,” he said. “We are not going anywhere. We still have 17 centres across the country. We are going to work with our stakeholders and with academia to make research better than it has ever been.”
Bloc MP Maxime Blanchette-Joncas from Rimouski--La Matapédia asked about the cuts on Feb. 6.
He wanted to know why the cuts are happening now when Canada should be investing more into ag research.
Minister MacDonald reaffirmed the government’s support for Canadian ag research across the country.
“We are maintaining our presence in every single province, and we remain the largest agriculture institution in this country,” the minister said. “By streamlining research and development, we can build a strong, resilient future for science.”