The return of Parliament and fall run are just around the corner. The summer months did not see our team at the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) slow down on the advocacy front. We continued to push on key policy files and activities during Parliament’s summer recess to keep our asks top of mind going into the fall session.
The adverse weather that plagues farmers and ranchers across Canada is a priority. CCA is monitoring the situation along with our provincial member associations to better understand the effects on cattle producers and support needed. Since Minister MacAulay’s return to the agriculture portfolio, we have communicated regularly with him on the need for affected cattle producers to have timely access to the livestock tax deferral provision as well as support through AgriRecovery. As I write this, the Saskatchewan government has stepped up with their AgriRecovery announcement. I hope by the time you’re reading this, a finalized AgriRecovery response will have rolled out from B.C. to Manitoba.
Read Also
Growing Canada’s beef herd: CCA’s priorities working with new federal government
This is my first column since the federal election. The Canadian Cattle Association works with all elected officials and parliamentarians, regardless…
In late August, Minister MacAulay announced the initial regions eligible for the livestock tax deferral provision. This was welcome news to producers in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We are aware from conversations around our board table and with provincial member associations that some affected areas were not included in the preliminary list. If your region was not included and has been affected by extreme weather conditions, please contact your provincial cattle association to let them know. In turn, CCA will communicate this information to Minister MacAulay’s office to help ensure all affected producers are eligible.
The trade file has been a hot one this summer with our team engaging parliamentarians and their staff on key priorities. On Bill C-282: An Act to Amend the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act (supply management), we continue to emphasize to senators the ramifications this bill could have on our economy and cattle producers. We will carry this message through the fall session. CCA has ramped up advocacy efforts on trade with the U.K., particularly with the announcement of the U.K. accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
In early September, CCA, in partnership with the National Cattle Feeders’ Association and the Canadian Meat Council, launched a campaign called “Say No to a Bad Deal.” The campaign allows grassroots producers and industry partners to tell our federal government we need to delay the U.K. joining the CPTPP until the trade barriers Canada faces in the U.K. have been addressed.
We are not saying no to trade. We are saying no to a bad deal that puts Canadian farmers and ranchers at an unfair disadvantage. Supporting the U.K.’s accession to the CPTPP weakens the agreement as the trade barriers to the U.K. for Canadian beef and pork remain.
The U.K. still has unfettered access to the Canadian market for its meat products, while Canada is unable to export high-quality meat products into its market. We are asking for reciprocal access for Canadian meat into the U.K.’s market. We are proud of the progressive trading standards and science-based rules established through CPTPP which ensure fair market access for participating countries. We do not think those standards should be set aside for the U.K. accession.
We urge you to stand up for a fair trade deal for Canada by sharing your concerns with your Member of Parliament. Please show your support by visiting SayNoToABadDeal.ca and sending in your letter.
What drives much of our motivation to keep pushing on our key policy priorities as a board is the desire to leave a vibrant industry for our next generation of cattle producers. Despite the uncertainty facing cattle producers, I’m very optimistic when we see the calibre of our up-and-coming leaders.
This was especially evident during the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in August, where activities throughout the week shone a spotlight on our young leaders who are poised to make a difference in our industry. We saw 24 hopefuls vying for a spot in the next class of the Canadian Cattle Young Leaders (CYL) program through insightful discussions on important industry topics during the selection process.
We also celebrated and congratulated this year’s CYL graduates at the opening reception of the conference. It was great to see so many mentors attend to recognize the dedication, hard work, and potential of their mentees. I’d like to personally thank this year’s mentors for the important role they play in the success of our leadership program and the development of our young leaders.
The CYL graduation ceremony also saw the unveiling of the Reg Schellenberg Next Generation Legacy Award by the Canadian Cattle Foundation and the Schellenberg family. This award will be presented annually to recognize the exceptional qualities and contributions of a CYL graduate, who embodies the same dedication and leadership for the Canadian beef sector that Reg displayed. The award includes a belt buckle donated by the Schellenberg family ranch, Perrin Ranching 1990 LTD, and a travel bursary to attend the 2024 Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference.
Congratulations to Carling Matejka from Ponoka, Alta. for being named the first recipient of this award. We know that Reg would be very proud of this year’s graduating class.
Last, it was great to participate in the Canadian Cattle Youth Council annual general meeting at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference. We appreciate the ideas and perspectives are brought forward by the Council to policy discussions at our various committee meetings and at the board table. I’d like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions made by Charlene Yungblut (Ontario) during her term as the council’s president and welcome Scott Gerbrandt (Saskatchewan) who was elected president of the council. Congratulations to both of you!
