Lawrence MacAulay's not worried about Trump and more nuggets from his year-end interview
Sara Fraser | CBC News | Posted: December 20, 2016 10:00 PM | Last Updated: December 20, 2016
'I don't lie awake worrying about anything if I can help it'
Canada's second-longest serving MP and the nation's agriculture minister, Lawrence MacAulay, continues to be enthusiastic about his job after more than 28 years as a politician.
MacAulay, P.E.I.'s only cabinet minister, sat down with CBC News: Compass anchor Bruce Rainnie for a year-end interview.
What's going on with the health care agreement?
As you know yesterday they broke up, and my understanding is there was over $11 billion over 10 years left on the table — I think for mental health and addictions, which is pretty close to my heart. The government of Canada is just putting those strings on to the money that's been spent.
The negotiation is not over. We just have to see how it plays out. I've been in politics a long time — no one ever says "it's enough." There'll be more discussion.
What's the future with the ferry running from Wood Islands, P.E.I. to Caribou, N.S.?
I'm working on it, as I have been for 28 years. When I got elected I understood fully how important, vital, that transportation link is to Charlottetown east.
Hopefully we can come up to a solution that will be beneficial to Eastern P.E.I.
What might that solution look like?
It's hard for me to say. You're dealing with Transport Canada and other ministers, having allies and making sure you have some support. I'm not in any position to say we have anything, but they understand fully where I'm coming from.
Do you ever foresee a day when we as Islanders cross the Confederation Bridge without a toll?
As long as they make the Wood-Islands Caribou ferry service free of toll too! I doubt if you'll see that.
After 28 years, where do you still find the enthusiasm for it?
It's an exciting job to say the least!
Certainly being a member of Parliament is very interesting, but to be minister — having been a farmer all my life and then to become minister of agriculture and agri-food, having the opportunity to travel the world and help move the products in the agricultural sector and dealing with foreign governments like Japan and China, it's so interesting.
And putting the next policy framework in place, which will come in place in 2018 — these programs are so vitally important to the agriculture sector.
And you deal at times with trade. Are you worried about Donald Trump?
I don't lie awake worrying about anything if I can help it. The point is, you deal with issues as they come forward.
We're well aware the Americans are our best friends, our best allies. Over $500 billion a year passes over that border and I don't think anybody wants to see that stop.
In 28 years you've served under many leaders. What would you say separates Mr. Trudeau?
Number one he's a great leader, everybody loves him. He's kind of a star wherever he goes. Plus, he put great policies in place and put a great team together.
People expect him to make a change in this country, and he will.
Where do you stand on electoral reform on P.E.I. and federally?
I stand where the people want it to be. As you are fully aware, we are asking the people across Canada what exactly do they want.
In a democratic system, it's only fair to put in place what the majority of the citizens want. It's a job to find out, we're working on that.
There's a perception your government is backing away from electoral reform.
We're striving to get the input from the Canadian people and when we do, I expect you'll see something happen.
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