Statement made on 09 May 2012 by Senator Terry Mercer
Hon. Terry M. Mercer:
Honourable senators, the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program, or CAAP, was designed to be industry and locally led to have the flexibility to respond to large and small research and development projects and proposals that would benefit local farming industries across the country. CAAP works through local councils of directors in each province and territory.
In Nova Scotia, the CAAP is maintained by Agri-Futures Nova Scotia, one of fourteen regional councils across the country. There are 10 directors from all sectors in agriculture and agri-food and even a youth director. All members are nominated by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and there is no involvement by government in the process. There are, however, two liaisons — one for the province and one for the federal government — who sit on the board as non-voting members.
On April 11, Agri-Futures Nova Scotia was notified by staff of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada that there is no role for regional councils in the delivery of future federal programs after the end of the currently delivered CAAP program, which is scheduled to end on March 31, 2014.
Would the Leader of the Government in the Senate kindly tell us why the federal government has decided to end such a worthy program that is maintained by local people for local people?
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