Season 2 Episode 2 THE POLITICS OF AGRICULTURE ELECTION SPECIAL

In this episode, host Hugh Maynard is joined by The Gleaner’s news editor Sarah Rennie, alongside regional UPA representative Jérémie Letellier and local producers Jason Erskine and Ian Ward, to unpack the growing role of politics in Quebec agriculture ahead of the upcoming election. Hugh also talks policy and politics with Tyler McCann, who is both a policy analyst and a beef farmer in Shawville, Quebec. What we discuss in this episode: The UPA Election Wish List: An overview of the three key policy demands from the Union des producteurs agricoles, including increased provincial budget allocations and red tape reduction. Farmland Protection & The Alto Project: How major infrastructure projects—like the proposed Quebec City–Toronto high-speed rail corridor—and energy developments are impacting local agricultural land. Producer Perspectives: Local dairy producer Jason Erskine and organic vegetable grower Ian Ward share what actually sways their vote and why a provincial "buy local" strategy is long overdue. Global Realities & Local Resilience: Why supporting local food and reading labels is the most effective way consumers can cushion regional farmers against broader global and economic shifts. Whether you’re tuned in from the tractor cab, working in the kitchen, or listening on your daily commute, hit play to get the full outline of what’s happening at the intersection of farming and policy! Connect & Listen: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... Website: https://farmtofood.buzzsprout.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vg58Nq... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss an episode as we continue exploring the issues shaping our local food system! Thank you for listening to this episode of the Farm to Food podcast. We’d like to thank our sponsors for helping bring this initiative to life: Desjardins, the Livestock Breeders’ Association and Quinn Farm in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot for their promotional support. We also wish to thank the Community Media Strategic Support Fund and the Government of Canada for their financial support for this project, as well as the Bourses d’initiatives en entrepreneuriat collectif for their contribution toward equipping the podcast studio. This program is made possible thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer directors on the board of Châteauguay Valley Community Information Services (CVCIS), a non-profit social enterprise with qualified donee status. We would love your support to help keep this podcast going. Donations can be made at farmtofood.ca, and we can issue tax receipts for donations over $25. Farm to Food Podcast Credits: Hugh Maynard – Host Jackie Rourke – Producer Sarah Rennie – News Editor Callan Forrester – Reporter Stacey Pennington – Audio Production Dianna Chycki – sales & marketing Nomena Ramanarivo – Digital Marketing and Community Outreach Coordinator …and of course, Farmer Phil — who’s farm-tastic! 0:00 - 0:43 Welcome 0:43 - 0:56 Intro 0:56 - 3:07 Farmer Phil Quinn 3:07 - 26:26 Tyler McCann 26:26 - 27:35 Hugh 27:35 - 28:29 Sarah 28:29 - 31:08 Jérémie Letellier 31:08 - 32:50 Hugh & Sarah 32:50 - 37:11 Jérémie Letellier 37:11 - 38:12 Hugh & Sarah 38:12 - 51:03 Jason Erskine & Ian Ward 51:03 - 53:44 Wrap & Credits