Translate Politics Parliament in plain language.

Agriculture and Agri-Food

Question period on agriculture focused on two issues. The Conservatives asked about Agriculture Minister’s accountability for spending at Farm Credit Canada, citing the CEO’s travel and hospitality expenses, including a meal costing over $6,500. Liberal parliamentary secretary Claude Guay said FCC is an independent Crown corporation that makes its own decisions and that farmers value its work. The Conservatives also asked whether the minister personally approved $115 million in cuts to agricultural research funding, citing figures showing drops in public research investment and R&D activity. Guay replied that the government is streamlining to invest more efficiently, maintains a research presence in every province, and remains the largest agricultural researcher in Canada.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

5 statements

John Barlow

Conservative
“The head of Farm Credit Canada spent over $213,000 on travel and $53,000 on hospitality last year, including one meal that cost over $6,500. I want the minister to answer for how much more of this spending he will approve.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, well, that is no answer from the minister. We have 30 more of those. I sure hope they upped their game with the answers. The CEO of Farm Credit Canada last year, Justine Hendricks, spent more than $213,000 just on travel. She spent another $53,000 on hospitality, including one meal for more than $6,500. This is more than a third of what a family of four spends on groceries for an entire year. Can the minister tell me how much more out-of-control spending he is going to approve this year?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A View analysis

Claude Guay

Liberal
“Farm Credit Canada makes its own decisions. Farmers appreciate its work, and it helps us grow our farming economy.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, FCC is an independent Crown corporation and operates at arm’s length. With that said, what I can say is that farmers and agriculture stakeholders around the country appreciate the good work that is done by FCC. We are working hard to grow the agriculture sector and the strongest economy in the G7, and FCC is an important part of our effort.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade B+ View analysis

James Bezan

Conservative
“Research in agriculture is way down, but the government is cutting $115 million more from it. Did the agriculture minister personally approve these cuts?”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals themselves are warning that public investment in ag research and development has fallen by 15%. Private sector R and D outsourced to universities is down 77%. The number of firms conducting research in Canada has dropped by 30%. However, the Liberal agriculture minister is slashing $115 million in agriculture research. Science took the hit for 75% of the cuts in his department. Did the agriculture minister personally approve these cuts, yes or no?

View on ourcommons.ca Grade A+ View analysis

Claude Guay

Liberal
“We are spending less money so we can invest more.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 49 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “We are spending less to invest more.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since April 28.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are spending less to invest more, and we are making— Some hon. members: Oh, oh!

View on ourcommons.ca View analysis

Claude Guay

Liberal
“We are spending less money while still investing more. We still work in every province and do more farm research than anyone else in Canada. Making our research more efficient will help Canadian farmers succeed.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 47 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Clarity 35 of 100

    Much of this statement used imprecise wording, lacked details on timing or responsibility, or made broad claims without support.

    See full analysis

  • A repeated line

    “We are spending less to invest more.”

    Said 3 times by 2 members since April 28.

    Every time it was said
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, we are spending less to invest more. We are maintaining our presence in every single province and remain the largest agricultural researcher in the country. By streamlining research and development, we can build a strong, collaborative science system that supports producer-strengthened competitiveness and positions Canadian agriculture for long-term success. That is what we are doing.

View on ourcommons.ca Grade C View analysis

Discussion

No comments yet

See the full discussion

Comment rules

More from sitting 134

All 60 items ·
  1. Government Orders Government Business No. 11—Proceedings on Bill C-26 11 statements
  2. Oral Questions Public Safety 4 statements
  3. Oral Questions The Economy 10 statements
  4. Oral Questions Canadian Identity and Culture 6 statements
  5. Oral Questions Justice 2 statements
  6. Oral Questions The Economy 2 statements
  7. Oral Questions Northern Affairs 2 statements
  8. Oral Questions Seniors 4 statements
  9. Oral Questions Public Safety 2 statements
  10. Oral Questions Employment 2 statements
  11. Oral Questions Health 2 statements
  12. Oral Questions Labour 2 statements
  13. Oral Questions Public Services and Procurement 2 statements
  14. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 4 statements
  15. Oral Questions Seniors 2 statements
  16. Oral Questions Telecommunications 2 statements
  17. Oral Questions Sport 2 statements
  18. Oral Questions Access to Information 2 statements
  19. Oral Questions Housing 2 statements
  20. Oral Questions The Economy 3 statements
  21. Oral Questions Marine Transportation 2 statements
  22. Oral Questions National Defence 3 statements
  23. Oral Questions International Trade 5 statements
  24. Oral Questions Indigenous Affairs 2 statements
  25. Oral Questions Aerospace Industry 2 statements
  26. Oral Questions Agriculture and Agri-Food 5 statements
  27. Government Orders Strong and Free Elections Act 34 statements
  28. Oral Questions Seniors 2 statements
  29. Government Orders Business of the House 2 statements
  30. Oral Questions Intergovernmental Relations 2 statements
  31. Oral Questions Firearms 2 statements
  32. Oral Questions Fisheries and Oceans 2 statements
  33. Oral Questions Government Appointments 2 statements
  34. Private Members' Business National Framework on the Durability of Electronic Products and Essential Home Appliances Act 8 statements
  35. Government Orders Strong and Free Elections Act 29 statements
  36. Government Orders Combatting Hate Act 7 statements
  37. Government Orders Government Orders 11 statements
  38. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  39. Adjournment Proceedings Adjournment Proceedings 4 statements
  40. Government Orders Government Orders 19 statements