Do away with hardscrabble way of life

NDP invites all Islanders to come along in that vision of how we can do better

Hardscrabble Road: That is the rather poignant name of a rural road in Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia. This name came to mind when I read Ian Petrie’s column in the February 7th Island Farmer issue. Ian, a former CBC journalist on the P.E.I. agriculture file, is concerned that the voice of farmers may be getting lost in the current political system.

While Ian is pleased that the environment is getting more attention he also wants a “fair and informed discussion” which includes farmers. This may not happen with the retirement of MLAs who have farming experiences, some who have been in cabinet.

In the same issue, a Green Party official offers an opinion that a recent soil study showing the decline of organic matter is something that most farmers including potato growers do not want to see happen.

I agree that governments have too long held to bigger is better in a commodity and export-focused model of agricultural policies and programs. Our legislators have too long been influenced by a corporate agenda and that has meant the slow but steady erosion of the small family farm.

But let’s look at the big picture of what needs to happen if P.E.I. is a place where all Islanders can share in the benefits of a prosperous and healthy way of life including our farmers.

A review of NDP P.E.I. policies in a vision statement made a number of years ago will contradict the notion seemingly offered by Ian Petrie and no doubt Island environmentalists and farmers that the NDP has failed to support a moratorium on deep wells. We absolutely do support this as one way of protecting P.E.I.’s precious source of water.

The NDP P.E.I. have lobbied long and hard for the many things that would make P.E.I. heaven on earth. Let me mention some of those ideas: Get away from the monoculture approach to agriculture and other primary industries; diversify by supporting practices that are economically and environmentally sustainable. Big corporate style farms cannot meet those expectations.

Support co-operation and co-operatives in agriculture. Supply management is another. Governments provincially and federally should be fighting tooth and nail to keep supply management in all trade deals.

Emphasis should be on local sales first, then regional, national, and international export sales. Governments can play a big role in making these things happen in collaboration with farmers.

Of course, much more support should be given to assist farmers in producing organic food and to farm on a small scale. Efforts have been made in recent years but so much more can be done. Being able to make a decent living with small farm holdings should be the model supported by governments and communities in general. This is the lens that should be used.

It would enable more young people including women and immigrants, many who come from farming communities and experiences, to get into farming on P.E.I. Diversity of people in the industry is a good thing.

Buy local food more directly from the producers. The provincial Womens’ Institute have had buy local promotions over the years. Schools and other government institutions would be able to buy locally knowing they are getting safe and nutritious food.

This brings us to another policy the NDP P.E.I. have supported a number of years and that is implementing a Basic Income Guarantee program. Not only would this make it possible for more low and middle income Islanders to buy safe and good food it would help farmers to farm the way most really want to, smaller and more doable.

I realize that this is a simplified accounting of what the NDP P.E.I. envisions for P.E.I. but I hope that Islanders will accept that their neighbours, their family members, their friends, who are New Democrats have for many years stood up and spoke up for a better society, even when it was not acceptable to be that radical voice.