After a raucous Question Period in the Other Place, has it was a much more sedate affair in the Red Chamber as agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay arrived to answer questions. Senator Larry Smith started off in French, asking about the cultivation of marijuana and land use, and what steps would be taken to avoid the diversion food land for large-scale outdoor grow ops. MacAulay first regaled us with tales about prohibition, and then noted that the bill was under the jurisdiction of the ministers of justice and health, but he was also concerned about the use of land, and eventually said he would assure senators that he would do anything he could to ensure that land would remain for farm use. Smith asked if he offered any advice to Health Canada officials on the use of outdoor growth, but MacAulay didn’t really offer any kind of assurance.

Senator Maltais asked about invasive species like the spruce budworm, and after a lengthy preamble, worried how much Quebec would get to deal with the problem. MacAulay noted that it is a problem, and they hoped that they could work together to help solve the issue, as it would cost the economy if they did not. (There was a bit of back-and-forth afterward about Maltais looking to get a report over to MacAulay, and a page was dispatched).

Senator Mercer asked about climate change affecting the agricultural sector and the need for government support to help with new measures. MacAulay assured him that farmers are adaptable, and that they have business risk management programmes from the federal government but they have not really addressed the problem, before he meandered into the development of canola, and measures that reduce environmental footprints.

Most of MacAulay’s responses begin with “As a farmer myself…” #SenQP

— Dale Smith (@journo_dale) May 29, 2018

Senator Griffin asked about ferry service between eastern PEI and Nova Scotia, and the projected maintenance costs for these contracts. MacAulay noted that while it’s not really his area, it’s important to him, and he regaled us with tales about ferries breaking down, and how important that ferry service was. 

Senator Robert Black asked about durum wheat exports being shut out of Italy thanks to a protectionist push in that country that might be extended to pulses. MacAulay said that he was well aware of the issue, and that they are not following EU trade regulations, and that they are considering an appeal to the WTO (which was apparently news).

Senator Ataullajhan relayed concerns from agriculture communities who felt they weren’t consulted on carbon taxes. MacAulay said that they have consulted widely, though they may not have met with every farmer, but farmers understand the importance of the environment.

Senator Stewart Olsen worried that carbon taxes would make farms unprofitable, to which MacAulay reiterated his points that farmers are stewards of the land and water, and that they use programmes that are offered.

Senator Downe asked about farmer consultations in Bill C-49, the transportation bill. MacAulay regaled us with tales of being a potato farmer who had issues with loading in the past, and that he didn’t agree with some of the proposals in the bill, and that he appreciated some of the amendments that the Senate made to the institution.

Senator Oh asked about exports to China, and American exports having an effect on our export market. MacAulay regaled is with a tale of a trip to China and bringing up an issue of horses that Oh raised with him. MacAulay then noted that he can’t really comment on the American situation, but he has a rapport with the Chinese minister, which helps, and then meandered around the issue of food safety that the Chinese government is so concerned about. 

Senator Griffin was back up, to ask about carbon levy definitions, and MacAulay note that he doesn’t have an answer for her, but he will bring it up with CRA.

Senator Robert Black got back up to ask about funding youth programmes like 4-H, and MacAulay talked about the need to educate youth about where food comes from and how hard farmers have to work to produce it.

Overall, MacAulay is one of those ministers who likes to ramble and meander in his responses, and pepper them with folksy anecdotes about being a potato farmer, which made his responses a bit hard to follow at times. That said, he apparently made news in talking about the possibility of a WTO challenge with the durum wheat dispute with Italy, so it wasn’t a wholly wasted exercise.

Sartorially speaking, snaps go out to Senator René Cormier for a tailored dark grey suit with a white shirt and a navy and yellow tie, and to Senator Raymonde Gagné for a blue-hued jacket with a black dress. Style citations go out to Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen for a beige smock dress with a black sweater, and to Senator Ghislain Maltais for a taupe suit with a pale yellow shirt and a gold yellow tie.