Minister MacDonald highlighted ag investments on June 1
In question period on June 1, Pat Kelly, the Conservative MP for Calgary Crowfoot, asked why the Liberals guided Canada into a recession when the rest of the world is facing some of the same outside challenges.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald provided the government’s response.
He reminded the House of recent industry investments, “like Kraft Heinz investing $250 million in Montreal and Bayer investing $45 million in canola research in Winnipeg,” the minister said.
“A couple of weeks ago, I was at K+S Potash in Saskatchewan, which is investing $3 billion over 10 years. Cargill in Saskatchewan is investing $350 million in a new crushing plant, and Imperial Oil in Strathcona is investing in biofuels.”
On June 3, MacDonald answered a question from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Poilievre asked Prime Minister Carney to clarify if Canada is in either a technical or real recession.
MacDonald’s answer didn’t address the issue of the economy.
“Mr. Speaker, every time I get on my feet in this House and talk about farmers, it is a good day. If that is what it takes to get a reaction over there about how important farming is in this country, then that is what we need to do, and I will do it every time,” he said.
On June 4, the ag minister participated in an exchange with Dave Epp, the Conservative MP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, and an Ontario farmer.
Epp pointed out the challenging economic times Canadian families, farmers, and businesses are facing under the Liberals.
“Why are the Liberals content to watch Canada's competitiveness and productivity erode? Is this a technical recession or technically a failure of policy?”
MacDonald’s response highlighted investments in Epp’s riding and around Ontario ag.
“There is Ideal Can, which is moving to Leamington, one of the only canning companies in the country using aluminum and steel from Canada,” he said. “We are going to continue to invest in the processing sector and in agriculture. There are all kinds of companies. I am talking about Massilly North America's $85-million new food packaging processor and Agropur's plans to invest nearly $1 billion in plants in eastern Canada. We are going to continue to invest in Ontario.”
When Epp pressed the government on declining productivity and investments, MacDonald mentioned additional projects in the ag and food sectors.
On June 5, Epp asked the government about another item impacting the ag sector.
He wanted answers related to the progress of the Alto rail project despite concerns from farmers.
“Is the Liberals’ plan for food security to slice up farmland? Is this what they call governing in a technical recession, or is it really just a technical war on agriculture?” he asked.
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon answered.
The government will do its due diligence, he said.
“We will, of course, achieve that by working with farmers and their representatives. We will, of course, do that by upholding principles whereby agriculture continues to flourish in our country,” he said. “We do note the Conservatives' opposition to this project. I can tell that member that most Canadians have noted their opposition to that project as well.”