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Hamilton Spectator

More Commentary from Katelyn Zimmer

The Carlton Trail-Eagle Creek candidates were given additional opportunities to comment on topics such as agriculture, manufacturing, housing affordability, healthcare, efforts to lessen our dependence on American produce, as well as anything they saw as key issues. What follows are Liberal candidate Katelyn Zimmer's comments. Agriculture has long been the backbone of the Saskatchewan economy, and when asked about the Liberal Party's plans to protect and support the industry here, Katelyn pointed to the measures already in place. The Federal Government currently funds 60% of the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) AgriStability Program, which helps protect farmers against significant revenue losses. In the event that a Liberal Government is elected, they propose to substantially enhance this support by doubling the revenue protection limit for individual farms from $3 million to $6 million. This increase aims to provide a stronger safety net for agricultural operations facing revenue declines due to factors such as tariffs imposed on exports and the effects of extreme weather events, which are becoming all too common. In addition to these financial protections, she said, the Liberals plan to invest in expanding domestic food processing capabilities. A new $200 million Domestic Food Processing Fund will be established to encourage the development of food processing facilities, particularly in rural and remote areas. This initiative aims not only to create jobs but also to reduce dependency on foreign processing and to ensure that local farmers have greater access to markets for their produce. Moreover, there will be an increased commitment to helping farmers, ranchers, and food producers access new markets for their products. An additional $30 million will be allocated to the AgriMarketing Program, which is designed to assist agricultural businesses in promoting their products and reaching consumers more effectively. This funding will help farmers expand their market reach and enhance the competitiveness of their goods. Lastly, the proposed plan includes a significant boost for farmers and ranchers looking to invest in new, more efficient farm equipment. An injection of $30 million will be added to the Agriculture Clean Technology Program. This funding will support the adoption of advanced technology that improves farm productivity while also promoting sustainable farming practices. These initiatives collectively aim to strengthen the agricultural sector, making it more resilient and more capable of meeting both local and global food demands. On the topic of manufacturing and value-added ventures, the Liberal Party vows to take decisive action in response to the U.S. tariffs by implementing targeted trade measures. The goal is to ensure that these measures have a significant impact on the U.S. economy while keeping any repercussions on Canadian businesses and workers to a minimum. Katelyn said that during these challenging times, their primary focus would be on safeguarding Canadian workers and supporting local industries. However, their vision extends beyond mere protection, committing to building a new, resilient Canadian economy that can thrive in the face of global challenges. By unifying the economy, moving away from the fragmented system of 13 provinces and territories, their ambition is to foster a stronger Canada and create an economy that allows businesses to sell their products to consumers across the country and beyond, while providing individuals the freedom to work wherever they feel their talents can be best utilized. To achieve this vision, the Liberals will make substantial investments in critical infrastructure that supports trade and enhances productivity. This includes modernizing and expanding ports, railways, airports, and highways to ensure that Canadian products can move seamlessly to markets both domestically and internationally. By laying a solid foundation for trade, Canadian businesses will be enabled to compete more effectively on the global stage and ultimately contribute to the prosperity of all Canadians. Affordability and housing are of great concern to people across the country, and when questioned about how the Liberal party would respond and support consumers, Katelyn noted that Mr. Carney has officially cancelled the carbon tax, which is expected to save Canadians an average of 18 cents per litre on gasoline prices. This measure aims to alleviate the financial burden on families and individuals who rely on fuel for their daily commutes and essential activities. Additionally, she said, a new middle-class tax cut will be introduced, providing financial relief to two-income households with potential annual savings of up to $825. This initiative is designed to help middle-class families retain more of their hard-earned income to support their household expenses and savings. A Liberal government is committed to housing development and significantly increasing the number of homes built within a decade, to double the rate of construction, targeting nearly 500,000 new homes annually. This initiative is crucial in addressing the ongoing housing shortage and making homeownership more achievable for Canadians. As well, first-time homebuyers will benefit from the complete elimination of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on homes priced at or below $1 million. This change can result in substantial savings, up to $50,000, making it easier for newcomers and young people to enter the housing market and invest in their first property. Dental coverage will be expanded by a Liberal government to include all Canadians aged 18 to 64, effectively providing access to dental care for approximately 4.5 million people. This expansion aims to ensure that more Canadians receive essential dental services, promoting better oral health and overall well-being. Through these efforts, Canadians are projected to save about $800 in dental care costs, enabling them to allocate their resources more effectively towards other essential needs and improving their quality of life. All sides of Canada's healthcare system, from long-term care to acute care to primary care, struggle to find enough people to fill vacancies, to protect, preserve and improve access to Canada's public health care system. Katelyn said a Liberal government will add thousands of new doctors and health professionals. This will be achieved by increasing training spaces, building new medical schools, and addressing labour mobility issues so that health care workers can be employed anywhere in the country. Streamlining credential recognition for internationally trained health professionals will make it easier for those already living here to contribute, and utilizing a new global recruitment strategy will attract physicians practicing abroad. A critical issue that Katelyn identified is the representation of the rural West. As Canada continues to focus on efficiently transporting resources from coast to coast, the insights and perspectives of rural and prairie communities will be increasingly vital. Addressing infrastructure needs, advocating for sustainable practices, and ensuring access to essential services are all areas where rural representatives can provide invaluable input. Their firsthand experience of the challenges and opportunities in these areas and understanding of local conditions and priorities enables them to contribute meaningfully to national discussions, ensuring that the voices of rural Canadians are heard and considered in the decision-making process. Individual MPs from western Canadian regions are highly qualified advocates for their constituents' needs. They represent an equal number of voters as those in Ontario and Quebec, yet they must navigate a much larger and more diverse geographic area. This vast territory includes varied landscapes, economies, and cultures, which can complicate the delivery of services and resource distribution. In light of President Trump's economic attacks and his persistent verbal aspirations to make Canada the 51st state, many Canadians are boycotting American products and produce. Katelyn shared that a Mark Carney-led Liberal government will strengthen Canada's food security by investing in greenhouses, hydroponics, and other controlled environment agriculture that allow us to grow more types of food, here at home. They will work with the private sector to protect Canadian food security. This will help to ensure that Canadian families have access to fresh, nutritious, and affordable food while supporting Canadian farmers and food producers.