FORT FRANCES—It’s been months of meetings and discussions for district farmers as they try to resolve some current issues, such as not having an abattoir nearby and dealing with the effects of last year’s drought-like conditions.
But while these problems seem far from over, Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff continues to work on farmers’ behalf.
In fact, he met earlier this month with both the provincial minister of agriculture, Leona Dombrowsky, and the staff of federal Agriculture minister Chuck Strahl.
“I think that from an attitude standpoint that the [provincial] minister wants to help,” Boshcoff said of last week’s meeting.
“And as a federal rep meeting with the provincial one, I am quite convinced the provincial minister is doing what they can there and that they are well aware of what our needs are in the district,” he added.
Boshcoff said Dombrowsky made a clear directive to her staff to work with the community on the abattoir and meat situation issues.
“I believe the reality is the solution will be long-term as opposed to immediate,” he noted. “She made it very clear that the public service has to be responsive to helping the agriculture community in Northwestern Ontario.
“And I’m convinced that we’re going to see a fresher era of co-operation.”
Boshcoff added he was told the situation of not having a nearby abattoir also is evident in other communities across the province.
“I think it comes up in isolated pockets of people trying to get licensed butchers and licensed abattoirs, and doing it because the province is huge,” he remarked, adding he and his staff also are working to get a tele-conference in this district for as part of the public consultations on the “Next Generation of Agriculture and Agri-Food Policy.
“I think it’s very reasonable,” Boshcoff stressed. “I’m still questioning why [Prime Minister Stephen] Harper put the consultation in Sudbury as opposed to a more agricultural area.
“That decision has been made, but it’s bizarre.”
There will be a tele-conference in Thunder Bay in the near future, but Boshcoff wants to get a link to Emo, Rainy River, or Fort Frances.
Meanwhile, in terms of drought assistance for local farmers, Boshcoff doesn’t expect much from the provincial government. Rather, he said they want farmers to purchase production insurance.
“When we talk about the drought, the province is essentially in the same situation as the federal government in there is no disaster program existing,” he explained, noting he spoke to the federal government specifically about the drought.
But Boshcoff said they are aware the programs currently in place do not work for the farmers of Rainy River District.
“Point one, I think, is on the tax referral situation, which we know doesn’t help everyone directly because of the mathematics, but it will be extended for the four districts in Northwestern Ontario,” he indicated.
He said the second point is that Strahl’s staff is saying they are trying to deal with the situation of those that bought production insurance versus those who didn’t.
“They have told me they are working on this,” Boshcoff said. “Some people paid for the insurance and they got their money, and those that didn’t obviously have not received anything yet because they didn’t buy the insurance.”
Thirdly, Boshcoff said the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization program is not a solution, either.
“The federal minister knows that CAIS will not address Rainy River District needs,” he noted. “The problem is income stability versus disaster—our drought shows what a problem we have.”
As well, Boshcoff said the Canadian Farm Families Options program—designed to provide short-term income assistance to farmers while they try to improve their business prospects—was fully subscribed.
“It initially had low uptake, but eventually they extended it and they used up all the money they had for it,” he noted.
Boshcoff also was made aware there are drought situations in three other spots in Canada: southwestern Saskatchewan, Peace River, Alta., and Peace River, B.C. And he discovered these areas are in the same boat as Rainy River District.
“Nobody has received preferential treatment,” he stressed. “So the answers I’m getting the other MPs in those areas are also getting the same.
“At this stage, the [federal] minister has all the information, so I’m not sure what the response will be,” he added. “I don’t know if there is any more room for more response.”
Boshcoff said his next step will be to meet with the other MPs who’ve been affected to see if there is something else that can be done.
“I’m trying to do everything humanly possible in view of the situation,” he remarked. “I still have a few more meetings to go, but I’ll be reporting back to the district farmers.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
