The shadow minister for environment & climate change and Abbotsford’s Conservative MP Ed Fast will be speaking at an event hosted by the Canadian Association for Farm Advisors (CAFA) in Abbotsford, March 8.
CAFA’s professional speaking events aim to support farm families and agribusinesses by increasing the skills and knowledge of farm advisors and consultants. This month’s event will address the impact of North American Free Trade (NAFTA) negotiations on the Canadian agriculture industry.
Fast was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006 and re-elected in 2008, 2011 and 2015 and as the longest-serving trade minister, is more than qualified to speak about the ongoing NAFTA negotiations between U.S. and Canada, according to CAFA chapter chair Adrian Spitters.
“He’s quite familiar with what NAFTA means to the farm community and he’s well-known and respected by the farm community,” said Spitters. “We reached out to [him] mainly because the negotiations are happening right now and it was very timely to bring somebody who has the depth of experience to the farm advisors and farmers.”
It’s highly likely that Canada’s current NAFTA negotiations with it’s southern neighbours will have an impact on supply management and agriculture, said Fast.
“There are going to be repercussions somehow, so I think it’s important that farmers find out what is on the table.”
“We’re hoping [Fast] is going to be able to give us a little bit 0f insight into what our chances are [and] is Trudeau going to be able to negotiate a deal that’s going to satisfy the U.S.?” added Fast. “They’ve cancelled a number of trade deals, so what’s to stop them from backing out of NAFTA?”
CAFA’s speaking event will take place at Tangleback Gardens & Bramble Bistro. A limited number of tickets are available and registration is on a first come, first serve basis.
Local farmers, farm advisors and businesses in the agriculture industry are encouraged to register online through the event’s page: CAFA Event: The Honourable Ed Fast - March 8, 2018.