The NDP call agriculture a “vital sector” of the economy
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Farms.com is continuing its coverage of federal party platforms leading up to the election on Sept. 20.
Farms.com will highlight items pertinent to agriculture and rural Canada in the platforms of the five parties with Members of Parliament as those documents become available.
Jagmeet Singh and the New Democratic Party (NDP) released their platform, Ready for Better, on Aug. 13, three days before the official election call.
The party identifies agriculture as a “vital sector” of Canada’s economy.
“It’s time for a government that’s actually working on the side of Canadian farmers, producers and farm families,” the document reads.
To do this, the NDP promise to develop a Canadian Food Strategy.
This strategy would “take a whole-of-government approach to address regional needs and priorities by investing in our agricultural communities, supporting young and new farmers and taking steps to ensure that rural livelihoods are good and sustainable.”
In addition, the NDP commit to fully protecting supply management and ensuring reciprocal treatment in all trade deals.
The party also promises to introduce a payment protection program for produce growers selling to the U.S. under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act.
A promise to work with the sector to “promote sustainable land-management techniques and methods to reduce (greenhouse gas) emissions” is also included in the NDP platform.
Agriculture is also included as part of the NDP’s plan to address climate issues.
The party promises to connect communities through local food hubs and develop a national food waste strategy to reduce how much food goes to waste in Canada.
The NDP has also outlined how it will invest in rural communities.
In addition to increasing broadband availability, the NDP promises to improve access to in-person services in rural communities, expand the Volunteer Firefighters Tax Credit and ensure federal funding is available for rural and First Nations policing.
An NDP government would also work with Canada Post to develop a model of postal banking to help nearly two million Canadians, and work with the provinces and communities to create an affordable public transit service to connect rural and remote areas.
The Conservatives have also released their party platform. As have the Bloc Quebecois , the Liberals and the Greens.
Visit Farms.com often to find out what other parties have planned for the ag sector and rural Canada.