Your Future, Your Voice, Canada S Benefit

YOUR FUTURE, YOUR VOICE, CANADA’S BENEFIT

People often think the only time they can exercise their democratic rights is when they vote. Democracy is a constant activity and it takes many forms. It happens in Parliament, on the streets and in the offices of elected officials all year round.
We need your help to make sure your elected officials understand who they are representing - you - and what your issues are. Below we have a list of ways and tools that you can make your voice heard effectively. Like for growing fruits and vegetables, you need tools. These are tools for a job. Use them and see what you can produce.

THE ISSUE

Financial Risk Mitigation is the issue that CHC has chosen to focus on in the lead up to the 2015 Federal Election. We need your help.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN
You have to want to make a change. You have to be willing to participate in that change. There are people and groups, like CHC, that are working on your behalf, but don't underestimate the strength and impact of one person speaking out for something they believe in. Get involved, speak out. It’s worth it.

HOW YOU CAN BE HEARD

1. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper
2. Connect with your MP
3. Write a letter to your MP

THE PROCESS

1. Pick your issue Know what it is you want to change.
2. Choose which you want to do:
3. Write a letter to the editor using the sheet provided.
4. Send it to your local newspaper editor
5. Write your MP to set up a meeting.
6. Meet your MP
7. Contact CHC to inform us

Letter to the editor

A letter to the editor of your local newspaper is a great way of making people in your community aware of an issue that affects your livelihood, family and community. It can not only make your neighbours aware of the issue, but also your local, provincial and federal politicians. You story can have an influence on their decisions.

Letter to the Editor Template

1. Get the editor’s attention with a dramatic fact or short statement of the issue. Use first person (I). Example, “As one of over 27,000 Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable growers, I am constantly vulnerable to critical financial losses thanks to a lack of protection by Canada’s government.”

1. Explain the issue. Be simple and clear and describe it in a way that your neighbours would understand: “Fresh Fruit and Vegetable growers in the United States are protected against losing the value of their produce when a buyer declares bankruptcy or insolvency. Canada doesn’t have such protection. Because of this, the United States Department of Agriculture revoked protection for Canadian growers and sellers leaving us vulnerable north and south of the border.”

1. Say what you’re asking for. “The Government of Canada needs to create a trust to protect Canada’s fruit and vegetable growers from the constant and great risk of losing the value of their produce and perhaps even their farms.”

1. Tell your story. “Recently, I lost $38,302 on a load of produce to the US. To try and fight for the value of my produce I had to post a bond worth twice its value. Because I did not have the funds to post a double bond I had to accept the loss.”

1. Describe the scope of the problem, give stats. Use the Issues Brief for more information. “I can no longer afford this. Canada’s fruit and vegetable growers can no longer afford this. Canadian and US firms operating in Canada lose an average $19 million per year through Canadian buyer insolvency. This loss affects not only growers, but other businesses in largely rural areas.”

1. Explain a solution and benefit. “The solution is simple: Dr. R.C.C. Cuming of the University of Saskatchewan College of Law has drafted a turnkey legislative proposal based on the concept of a “Deemed Trust”. It has been reviewed by Industry Canada and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. It requires little work from government other than tabling it to be passed into law. The impact would mean thousands of Canadian fruit and vegetable growers could know that their operations are no longer in jeopardy based on the whims of a buyer. It could save thousands of farms.”

CONTACT YOUR EDITOR

Letter to the Editor Example

Dear Editor,

As one of over 27,000 Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable growers, I am constantly vulnerable to critical financial losses thanks to a lack of protection by Canada’s government. Fresh Fruit and Vegetable growers in the United States are protected against losing the value of their produce when a buyer declares bankruptcy or insolvency. Canada doesn’t have such protection. Because of this, the United States Department of Agriculture revoked Canada’s protection leaving us vulnerable north and south of the border.

The Government of Canada needs to create a trust to protect Canada’s fruit and vegetable growers from the constant and great risk of losing the value of their produce and perhaps even their farms.

Recently I lost $38,302 on a load of produce to the US. To try and fight for the value of my produce I had to post a bond worth twice its value. Because I did not have the funds to post a double bond I had to accept the loss. I can no longer afford this. Canada’s fruit and vegetable growers can no longer afford this. Canadian and US firms operating in Canada lose an average $19 million per year through Canadian buyer insolvency. This loss affects not only growers, but other businesses in largely rural areas.

The solution is simple: Dr. R.C.C. Cuming of the University Of Saskatchewan College Of Law has drafted a turnkey legislative proposal based on the concept of a “Deemed Trust”. It has been reviewed by Industry Canada and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. It requires little work from government other than tabling it to be passed into law. The impact would mean thousands of Canadian fruit and vegetable growers could know that their operations are no longer in jeopardy based on the whims of a buyer. It could save thousands of farms.

CONNECT WITH YOUR MP

Why should you meet with your MP?

• To tell your story and help them understand not only the facts, but the impact of the issue on real people in their riding.
• To build a relationship with your MP and make them a champion of your issues in Ottawa.
• MPs want to know what is important to the people in their riding – you. Meeting with them is a great way to keep them informed about your issues.

How do you get a meeting with your MP?

• Phone your MP’s constituency office and request a meeting. Tell them who you are, describe what you want to talk to the MP about in one sentence and say it is an important issue to people in this riding.
• Make sure you say that you are a constituent as it increases your chances of getting a meeting.
• If you aren’t a constituent of the MP, bring along a friend who is. Have that friend make the appointment.
• Be persistent. Your voice is important and needs to be heard, so if you don’t hear back, keep trying. It may take a while. Be friendly but firm.
• If you can’t get a meeting with an MP, but are offered one with an aid, take it. Aids have the MP's ear. They prioritize agendas and give MPs advice. Build relationships with them.
• Meetings by phone are also okay if a face-to-face meeting is not an option.

You have a meeting. Now what?
Before the meeting
Contact the CHC Communications Manager who will help you through the process:

Trevor Eggleton, , 613-226-4880 ext. 218.

• Know your MP. Learn about him or her from their website, Facebook page and Twitter feed. A little small talk can help build rapport.
• Know the issue. Know what you want to talk to the MP about. Do your research. CHC can help with this.
• Know your story. Know how it impacts you, your family and your community.
• Know your ask. Don’t just go in and talk about your problems. Tell your MP what you want.
• Know the benefit to the MP. Showing the MP how this will positively impact people in his or her riding, and indirectly the MP, will go a long way to getting your message heard and carried forward.
• Practice. You might only have 10 minutes, so practicing will help you use your time wisely.
• Print and bring supporting materials to leave behind. CHC can help with this.
• If you can, go with one or two others who are experiencing the same issue. Power in numbers.

During the meeting

• Be friendly but firm. Don’t demand as that will create resistance. Work on building rapport. Think of it not as your one shot, but the first step in building a relationship.
• Stay on topic. Don’t get too side-tracked with topics other than what you’re there to discuss.
• Don’t overstay your welcome. Respect that your MP is busy. Tell your story, give the facts, thank him or her for their time and leave.

After the meeting

• Follow up with a thank you email or letter.
• Connect with CHC to discuss how it went.
• Follow up with the MP in 3 to 4 weeks and make plans for a follow up meeting.

Remember, know the information, but focus on your story. Tell how this issue affects you.

Who is your MP?
Find your MP

List of all current MPs

List of all Ministers and Critics by portfolio

LETTER TO AN MP

When writing your MP simply cut and paste the content below into an email with the MP’s and your names. To provide background information, send with it the corresponding fact sheet.

Financial Risk Mitigation

Dear MP’s name,

Like all of Canada’s over 27,000 growers, I am at constant financial risk. The reason is that in Canada we do not have a deemed trust that protects us from buyer bankruptcy or insolvency. This means that if a buyer says that he can’t pay me, I have to come up with double the amount of my produce to be able to go after its value. Like 85% of Canadian growers, I run a small farm which means I have limited cash on hand to go after the value of this produce. Because of this I’m constantly at risk of losing thousands of dollars, if not worse.

The United States has the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act to protect their growers, which until October 1, 2014 Canadian growers and sellers were protected under. But because we don’t have anything comparable, our preferred status was revoked leaving us vulnerable north and south of the border. A turnkey legislation has been created by law professor, Dr. Cuming from the University of Saskatchewan, and it needs a champion to table it. I am asking you to help us with this goal.

Agriculture is a main industry in your riding. For fruit and vegetable growers throughout your riding, this is our number one issue this election. We need our government to take leadership on this issue, which has little cost, but tremendous value to all of us. Will you help us?

I am interested in meeting with you to further discuss this critical issue.

Sincerely,

Your Signature and Name

ISSUES

Canadian growers are faced with numerous issues which affect their businesses. The main areas of CHC’s focus are Crop and Plant Protection and the Environment, Finance and Business Management, Trade and Marketing, Industry Standards and Food Safety, Labour, and Commodity Coordination. Each of these categories has numerous issues within them.

Financial Risk Mitigation

National Nutrition Policy

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Financial Protection

Pollinator Health

Plant Breeders’ Rights

National Nutrition Policy

MRLs

AgriInvest, AgriStability, AgriInsurance

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

This is a growing list of newspapers from across Canada. The list represents the newspapers of areas with a higher density of fruit and vegetable growers. If you don’t see your newspaper listed, please contact us and we will add it to the list.