2008 Federal Election
Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), and Wild Rose Agricultural Producers (WRAP) sent a five-part election questionnaire to the Conservative, Green, Liberal, and NDP party leaders in September. The farm organizations, representing producers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, were looking at priority areas for agriculture prior to the upcoming election. The four parties were asked to clearly outline their plans regarding five areas critical to rural voters: the environment, farm input prices, transportation, producer payment security, and working with farm organizations.
Continuing this week APAS, KAP, and WRAP will be sharing the responses received from each party to five specific questions presented. This will provide Prairie voters the opportunity to examine the party platforms before casting their ballots in the election on October 14.
All three organizations were pleased to see the prompt and positive responses received from three leaders and their recognition of the importance of agriculture to our national economy and unique Canadian identity. Today the parties outline their positions regarding Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS). (Party responses are presented below in the order they were received.)
Canada needs a government that supports agriculture, and also implements the policies that reflect that support. KAP, APAS, and WRAP want to see a move towards a long term plan that ensures producers’ sustainability—both financially and environmentally. In this election, agriculture must be a priority and all parties are encouraged to clearly communicate their goals to farmers and the rest of the industry.
For more information, please contact:
Ian Wishart, KAP President. Cell: (204) 856-6964.
Don Connick, APAS President. Cell: (306) 672-8208.
Humphrey Banack, WRAP President. Cell: (780) 679-4449.
Kristen Lucyshyn, KAP Communications. Office: (204) 697-1140.
Nial Kuyek, APAS General Manager. Office: (306) 789-7774 (ext. 229)