The Conservative Party of Canada recently held its first ever policy convention in Montreal. At that convention, delegates adopted a series of resolutions on a raft of topics. These are the the resolutions adopted under the broad headings of Agriculture; Fisheries and International Trade Policy. (The headings were chosen by the party and the resolutions were placed in various groups by the party.) Reproduced below is each resolution in the broad grouping as it was voted on by delegates. All of the following were adopted or carried by at the convention. The acronym EDA in the following stands for Electoral District Association. The resolutions here are presented in the order in which they were voted on by delegates. When the following documents talk about inserting new clauses or replacing new clauses, they are referring to modifying what's known as the “Base Document” — starting point for policy discussions put together by senior party officials in September, 2004.
Agriculture, Fisheries and International Trade Policy
P-42: Agricultural Principles | P-41: Supply Management | P-44: Fisheries | P-36: International Trade – Freshwater Exports
P-42: Agricultural Principles
It is moved that a new clause be added to the beginning of Section O) as follows:
Agriculture Principles
Agriculture policy must be developed only in consultation with the agricultural producers. Our farmers today are business operators and to dictate policy which might have an adverse affect on this business community would be foolhardy and go against Conservative Party principles. Balancing financial responsibility with support programs that actually work is a major priority of this party.i) Food. Food is one of the basic necessities of life, and a Conservative government places high priority on assuring that Canada's food supply is safe, secure, and sustainable. We seek to be among the world's best when it comes to the safety of our food supply.
ii) Export and Diversification. To ensure that Canada has a secure supply of food, a Conservative government will encourage self-sufficiency in national food production, including increased diversification in the types of foods and agricultural products produced. We will seek to enhance export opportunities for all agricultural products with special emphasis on markets for processed and finished commodities. Through diversifying, the value added process and manufacturing will create new jobs within the respective communities and Canada.
iii) Sustainability. If we are to ensure that Canada's food supply is assured in the long term, agricultural production must be both economically and environmentally sustainable. We believe that responsible land use and receiving a fair return for growing food go hand in hand. To mitigate against unforeseen adversity, we will put in the hands of the individual producer innovative economic tools they need to be flexible, to respond to changing market conditions and to manage the risks of weather and disease.
iv) Rural Economy. As the agricultural base of the rural economy has declined, so too has infrastructure in small communities. To preserve the social fabric of rural Canada, a Conservative government will encourage diversity and responsible development in small towns and villages by encouraging innovation in the development of small businesses that keep these communities alive.”
Moved by Manitoba RJPM. Similar motion moved by Elgin-Middlesex-London EDA.
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P-41: Supply Management
It is moved that the current Clause 76 to be replaced with the following:
“The Conservative Party of Canada believes it is in the best interest of Canada and Canadian agriculture that the industries under the protection of supply management remain viable. A Conservative government will support supply management and its goal to deliver a high quality product to consumers for a fair price with a reasonable return to the producer.”
Moved by Southwestern Ontario.RJPM. Similar resolutions moved by Peterborough RJPM, Elgin-Middlesex-London EDA
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P-44: Fisheries
It is moved that the current Clauses 77 and 78 be replaced with the following:
“i) A Conservative government will work cooperatively with the provinces and territories in all regions of the country to put emphasis on protecting and enhancing all stocks. This must be done in order to meet the needs of Canadians rather than reducing the harvesting and processing efforts to fit declining and mismanaged fisheries.
ii) A Conservative government will take a leadership role in international dealings with other fishing countries in order to assure cooperative management of common stocks and end fishing abuses, including foreign overfishing. We will not hesitate to take custodial management of the stocks on the Nose and Tail of the Grand Banks and the Flemish Cap. We recognize that fish is a renewable resource which can be rebuilt and sustained through a proper investment in science and management.
iii) A Conservative government would invest significantly in increasing our scientific knowledge base and make firm and fair decisions based on facts, with a regulatory and enforcement regime that has the ability to carry out the necessary function. Responsibility must come from participating regions where more decision making must be located so that wild stocks, as well as aquaculture, can be managed appropriately.
iv) A Conservative government would ensure that the current capital gains deferral available to farmers and woodlot owners when capital property is transferred to a child is extended for the commercial fishery.”
Combined resolution reflecting National Caucus and South Shore-St. Margaret's EDA.
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P-36: International Trade – Freshwater Exports
It is moved that the current Clause 29 be amended by adding a new subclause as follows:
“iii) In recognition of freshwater as a critical resource to the future of Canadians, the Conservative Party believes that there should be an investigation into the security of our long term freshwater resources as they pertain to exportation as a commodity.”
Moved by Hamilton-Niagara RJPM. Similar resolutions moved by Quebec RJPM.