DALE SHUTT

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

SHAWVILLE – At a meeting organized by MP Sophie Chatel, held at The Little Red Wagon Winery, May 31, local agricultural producers and representatives from various agriculture associations joined to discuss and make suggestions concerning agri-food sustainability, security, and economic development in the Pontiac.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, current Minister for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and former Minister of Agriculture, joined Chatel at the podium. Following a brief introduction, Chatel spoke of her work with the Rural Caucus concerning sustainability and economic development in the agricultural sector, stating they are working on a strategy to present to the National Caucus this coming September.

Agriculture security and sustainability are important topics in the Pontiac where 32% of the population are involved in food production and where agricultural revenues are currently down.

Ms. Chatel then opened the floor to questions from the 30-plus people in attendance. The first question concerned supply management and possible ways to create a system to make locally grown food more accessible to vulnerable community members. Reinforcing this idea was a suggestion to better educate our children about how food is produced and the importance of buying locally for health and economic reasons.

More than one person expressed concern over food autonomy and competition with imported foods, where the production standards for these foods are either unknown or do not meet the standards expected of Canadian farmers.

Frustration was expressed over complicated government regulations and red tape that farmers must deal with daily. This brought up concern over the mental health of a farming community already struggling to deal with the effects of climate change and inflated operational expenses.

Although the meeting ended with more questions pending, Chatel assured everyone that she was always available through her office or e-mail to reply to inquiries and that more chances to meet might be planned.