Evidence of meeting #3 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was producers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Kody Blois
Mr. Del Bianco, I apologize. We're at six minutes.
Thank you, Mr. MacGregor, for your questions. I do want to be mindful of our time.
I believe that Mr. Del Bianco may have to leave at 12:30. On behalf of myself and the clerk, I apologize that wasn't articulated, but we do have a great group of folks who can take questions.
Mr. Albas, it's over to you.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, committee members, for having B.C. members here today.
Thank you to the witnesses for the work they do.
I have to say, Mr. Chair, that not having the B.C. government officials here is a big loss for the committee. I also, from the tone of the conversation here today, think that it's sad that we don't actually have producers here to explain the absolute tragedy and heartbreak many have had. I've spoken to some people. During the wildfires, the B.C. Wildfire Service would come in and do what they call “controlled burnings” while people were away from their homes. When they got back, people would ask, “How do we pay for the damages that have been done to our farms?” and they got nowhere, Mr. Chair.
I was really hoping to have those officials here. Other constituents who have been on the record publicly, such as Rhonda MacDonald and her husband Wayne, said that they have been living in limbo and would need around $450,000 to repair the ranch fencing and $300,000 to repair the ranch irrigation system. That's just from the Lytton fire.
Mr. Del Bianco said that this is a rare event, a once-in-a-hundred-years event, the worst in agricultural history in British Columbia.
My question to each person here today is this: Do you feel the current bureaucratic system for supporting the farmers of British Columbia works right now, and will work for these individuals, yes or no?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Kody Blois
Mr. Del Bianco, I'd just like to intervene. Mr. Albas, I'll stop your clock.
It's a fair question. I want to make sure the record reflects that an invitation was sent to the B.C. government. Unfortunately, that was not able to happen. For the benefit of those who have worked to try to have them here, I want to make sure that's on the record.
I'll turn it over to Mr. Del Bianco.
Director General, Business Risk Management Directorate, Programs Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I unfortunately do have an appointment that requires me to leave at a quarter to one at the very latest, but I think it's important to take your questions.
With regard to the business risk management programs, we are working very closely with our provincial counterparts to understand all of the extraordinary costs the producers could incur and to launch a program that would meet their requirements in a very timely fashion.
With regard to...we have very clear—
Conservative
Director General, Business Risk Management Directorate, Programs Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Maybe I can leave it there and take a supplementary question.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Yes. I would like to have all the officials say whether they believe the current system as it stands can deal with the depth of trouble that British Columbia has found itself in—just a simple yes or no.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
I want each witness here who is representing a program, whether from a Crown corporation or the government itself, to say, “Yes, our system can handle this event in its current form” or “No, it can't.”
I would just like to hear that from officials.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Kody Blois
Mr. Del Bianco or anyone may choose to respond. I know we have Mr. Hoffort, as well, from Farm Credit Canada. Chime in if you'd like.
Director General, Emergency Management and Programs Branch, Public Safety Canada
I can perhaps answer very quickly.
I think it's important to recognize how complex disasters are and how recovery requires close collaboration among different levels of government, and different departments and agencies. I think we are also taking an opportunity to learn and to improve how we support disaster recovery.
I'll leave it there. Thanks very much.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
Mr. Chair, from Farm Credit Canada's perspective, I could weigh in on the question.
I really don't have an answer as it relates to the variety of programming from a disaster recovery perspective. I can confirm that our organization serves only one sector, the Canadian agriculture and food industry. No matter what the status of that sector—whether it's through those good times that the industry does enjoy often or challenging times, which is clearly the case for British Columbia—we're not going anywhere.
As long as—
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Thank you. I did ask for a yes-or-no answer.
Unfortunately.... I will tell you the reality for the people back home. Someone described the Similkameen Valley as “the forgotten valley”. Both the Nicola Valley and the Similkameen Valley have been left out.
There are major losses here—
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
Mr. Chair, I'm going to ask for 10 seconds.
There are major losses here, and they don't feel the system is working. In fact, Rhonda MacDonald—
January 31st, 2022 / 12:30 p.m.
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
—hasn't heard anything from the B.C. government—
Conservative
Dan Albas Conservative Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, BC
—since she applied in August. I just—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Kody Blois
Mr. Albas, I would ask that you let me handle this meeting. I know this is a passionate issue. As Mr. Vis has also indicated, it matters, but we do want to be mindful of members' time.
I would like to turn it over to Ms. Taylor Roy for five minutes.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.
Very briefly, will Mr. Pellow be staying to answer questions?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Kody Blois
Yes, that's correct. Mr. Del Bianco has a personal appointment. There will still be members of the team to answer questions.