I note the comment questioning how effective Bob Speller was. Speller was Ag Minister when the announcement of $1Billion was made. Perhaps it helped to have Goodale as Finance Minister but to convince cabinet that your portfolio should receive $1Billion additional funding would be an indication that Speller was an effective minister. Prior to Speller being appointed Ag Minister he was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for International Trade. Speller’s experience in International Trade would have been helpful in seeing a resolution to the issue of reopening trade for the Canadian beef industry.
A little info on Spellers riding. Manufacturing and agriculture are key industries in Spellers riding of Haldimand - Norfolk - Brant. Spellers riding is regarded as tobacco country although the riding did contain a beef and dairy component. Only about 7% of Spellers riding would be involved in primary industries such as agriculture. The riding had recently been redistributed and some predicted before the election that this would cause the riding to go to the Conservatives. Conservative Diane Finlay who defeated Speller in the election by a margin of 20938 to 19277 had experience in health care, transportation and manufacturing.
A little info on Spellers riding. Manufacturing and agriculture are key industries in Spellers riding of Haldimand - Norfolk - Brant. Spellers riding is regarded as tobacco country although the riding did contain a beef and dairy component. Only about 7% of Spellers riding would be involved in primary industries such as agriculture. The riding had recently been redistributed and some predicted before the election that this would cause the riding to go to the Conservatives. Conservative Diane Finlay who defeated Speller in the election by a margin of 20938 to 19277 had experience in health care, transportation and manufacturing.
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