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The new federal agriculture minister is “totally unknown” to the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), according to the association’s president, Todd Lewis.
Quebec MP Marie-Claude Bibeau was appointed to the role in Friday’s cabinet shuffle, following the resignation of Jody Wilson-Raybould. She’s the first woman ever to take on the portfolio.
“She wasn’t on anybody’s radar,” said Lewis, adding he admits he doesn’t know anything about her other than what’s listed in her bio.
Bibeau started her career working for the Canadian International Development Agency with postings in Morocco and Benin, then operated a tourism business before being elected in 2015.
She spoke briefly about her agriculture knowledge on Friday.
“I come from a rural riding, a dairy riding…I’m already very close to the agricultural producers in Quebec. I know quite a bit about supply management and I really look forward to work with the agricultural producers on various issues,” said Bibeau.
APAS is optimistic Bibeau’s door will be open, willing to listen to concerns from Saskatchewan. That’s after Lewis expressed appreciation toward outgoing agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay. He said during his time in the position, MacAulay garnered understanding of a lot of issues in the west, like grain transportation.
“She’s going to have a steep learning curve and I sure hope we’re going to do our best to contribute to it and make sure our issues remain on the table,” said Lewis.
Lewis was in Ottawa lobbying the government when the cabinet shuffle was announced. He said the Liberal Party doesn’t have much representation in rural, Western Canada which makes trips to the capital even more valuable. Right now, their priority is on the carbon tax.
“It’s vitally important that we continue our dialogue with Ottawa about it and try to get some understanding. They seem to have a real disconnect with what it’s going to mean to Saskatchewan agriculture,” said Lewis.
He doesn’t expect any major policy changes in agriculture before the fall election but looks forward to working with Bibeau and welcomes her to visit Saskatchewan.
