WCWG compares Alberta political parties Ag policy

With the call of the provincial election in Alberta, the Western Canadian Wheat Growers asked each of the registered parties five questions that we thought would be of interest to our members and grain farmers.

On March 22 the following questions were sent to each party. On April 3, 2019 we sent a reminder to the parties that had not replied. As of April 5, 2019, we heard back from five parties.

The five policy questions are:

1. What is your party’s position on free and competitive markets in international trade, including the elimination of export subsidies, reduction of tradedistorting domestic support, and reducing tariffs and non-tariff barriers that inhibit market access?

2. What is your party’s position on the grain transportation system and the ability to move grain to export market in an accountable and efficient manner, considering possible future overcrowding on the rail system?

3. What is your party’s position on the development of agricultural innovations that make farmers more profitable and sustainable, with a science-based regulatory approval process for the introduction of new technologies, including the adoption of genetically modified crops?

4. What is your party’s position on a carbon pricing system, including on a credit and debit system that acknowledges the significant carbon reductions being achieved by prairie grain growers through farming techniques and sequestering?

5. As the next provincial government, what would your top priorities be for farmers and the agriculture industry in Alberta?

All the responses may be found online in an simple, accessible format. For more information, please visit: wheatgrowers.ca.