Provincial and territorial agriculture ministers today called upon the federal government to stand by their recent unanimous decision to transform the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program rather than replace it.
Ministers agreed during an emergency conference call that replacing CAIS rather than working together to transform it does not serve the best interests of Canadian producers.
They expressed concern that the program will lose credibility with the country’s banking industry at a time when agriculture producers need stable financial support and business risk management backing.
Prince Edward Island Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Jim Bagnall met with the federal minister, Honourable Chuck Strahl, on Friday to outline the serious financial difficulties facing many producers in the province. He said Mr. Strahl was interested in continuing the discussion on improving business risk management programming, whatever it might be called. Mr. Bagnall said the federal minister recognizes the limited financial position of the provincial government.
“Although there are some shortcomings in the program as it now stands, it has proven to be helpful for some producers facing financial difficulties,” said Mr. Bagnall. “Provincial agriculture ministers have agreed that we should continue to build on the program to improve its effectiveness rather than scrap it and start all over again.”