Evidence of meeting #64 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site.) The winning word was farm.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:40 p.m.
Farmer, As an Individual
—and the assets were confiscated without compensation, one of the first things the Wheat Board did was to end its organic marketing program, so I've been forced to try to market through a system of independent brokers.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
My understanding, of course, is that the Wheat Board still exists.
I want to relate a bit of a story.
Before the changes in the Wheat Board, I met with several individuals in my office in Medicine Hat who were very pro-Wheat Board. It was an interesting conversation because we had a lot of talk about the ownership of the grain and so on and so forth. I said the Wheat Board would change, but that there would be a Wheat Board, and we know that is true. Given that they were pro-Wheat Board and that it would still be there, my question to them was whether they would sell their grain through it. The individuals were quite expressive in saying they would not. When I asked why they wouldn't, the individuals said they could get a higher price from the independents. I thought that was an interesting insight.
Anyway, I'd like to talk to Mr. Rosaasen, in terms of some research.
You talk about public research and private research. In today's world we see virtually every country struggling with budgets.
You talk about a lot of government money there. Is it your view that it should be unlimited, or should we be looking at making some modifications so we'll be able to live within our means?
12:40 p.m.
Prof. Kenneth A. Rosaasen
I think government should be making expenditures where they'll create the best long-run return, and I think some of those are in public research.
The research done by Julian Alston and others shows positive returns annually of 20% or more—often way more. Those are where the expenditures should be made. The problem is that research takes a long time, and governments, unfortunately, are elected based on immediate returns and short-run initiatives. It's really difficult to decide to say, “Hey, we're going to make those long-run investments.”
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
12:40 p.m.
Prof. Kenneth A. Rosaasen
And also live within your means.
Producers are contributing. There are check-off funds being set up. Years ago, I was appointed by Grant Devine, when he was premier, to be on the Natural Products Marketing Council. It went around with producers and explained to them how they set up a check-off, which now forms the basis of SaskCanola, Sask Pulse. Those check-off funds are being used to improve research. Farmers had a vote on it, and they said, “This is important to us and we want to invest in this industry.”
I think the governments should be spending more on it, because there's a lot of public good there, and there's a significant return.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
LaVar Payne Conservative Medicine Hat, AB
I understand that. I think there has to be some sort of balance. At the same time, we have to live within our means. That's an important aspect.
We've talked about talking with individuals. I know the minister has done all kinds of round tables, right across the country. He came to my riding, in Brooks, and we had a number of farmers. A lot of discussion went on there in terms of the opportunities, the issues, and how we can work together. I know the minister has had ongoing discussions with the federal ministers, obviously, and the provincial and territorial ministers on this. I believe they have come to some agreement, and certainly for Growing Forward 2, that's really positive information.
Mr. Chair, am I done?
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Merv Tweed
With that, I'll thank our guests for being here today. We appreciate your input. Although maybe we went off the track a couple of times, I still think there was valuable information.
Thank you to our guests.
Committee members, I'll just advise you to keep an eye on the notice for the next meeting on the issues we're going to deal with.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative