In Québec, the first farmers’ movements originated as early as 1789 with the creation of agricultural societies. Inspired from a British model, these mostly brought together upper class members interested in farming issues, especially technical progress and innovations. Although generously subsidized by government, agricultural societies only involved a very small number of farmers.

It was only in the 1860s that the first farmers’ clubs, created in parishes by and for local farmers, appeared. In 1875, there were enough of these farmers’ clubs to form a provincial association: the Union agricole nationale. However, some years after its inception, the Union was craftily taken over by the Church , which renamed it Cercles Saint-Isidore, a name that better reflected its control. The Cercles would never become the strong trade association they were intended to be. But later, government would progressively take control of the Cercles though subsidies granted in return for ever more stringent commitments. Controlled first by the Church, then by government, the Cercles ended up loosing any independence they might have.

In Québec as elsewhere in the industrialized world in the late 19th century, migrations to cities were driving farmers to sell a growing part of their production on the market. This movement marks the beginning of Québec farm producers’ collective involvement in marketing their products. At the time, market regulations clearly worked against farmers’ interest and to the benefit of purchasers, who were much less numerous.Farmers organized, seeking ways to increase, secure and stabilize their income.

In 1908, a new law is enacted to regulate the creation of farm co-operatives. In less than 15 years, 350 such local co-operatives are created. After the war, the early 1920s bring overproduction and price drops. Deep in debt, farmers flee to the cities. It is in that context that two major organizations, the Coopérative fédérée de Québec in 1922, and the Union catholique des cultivateurs in 1924, would be born.

The Union catholique des cultivateurs (UCC) On October 2, 1924, 2,400 farmers gathered in Québec City to create the Union catholique des cultivateurs. The program of that first congress was ambitious: the general status of agriculture, farmer education, farm credit, farm product production and trade, taxes, land settlement and, of course, trade associations. The modern farmers’ unionism movement was born.

The trade paper La Terre de chez nous is launched in 1929. To this day, it remains the main specialized publication for farmers.

In 1930, less than 10% of farms have electrical power when the UCC decides to spearhead rural electrification. The battle will take epic proportions. In 1945, a bill is finally adopted and from 1945 to 1952, 10,000 km of electrical lines are put in to connect 35,000 rural homes. From 25% in 1945, the percentage of farms with electrical power jumps to 50% in 1952, and to 85% in 1954.

In 1931, the UCC gets the provincial government to establish farm credit. In 1935, this provincial credit is the most generous of the times, providing loans of up to $6,000 with 2.5% interest rates for terms of 30 to 39 years.

Together with farmers’ unionism, the cooperative movement is the most distinctive expression of Québec’s rural society development, particularly in the 1940s and 50s. Farmers set up Caisses populaires, electrical power co-operatives, work cooperatives, mutual insurance, as well as purchasing and sales co-operatives for products related to farm economy.

Through the years, UCC leaders study the concept of collective contracts, already in use in England and in six Canadian provinces. In 1944, the General Congress officially demands that Government enact a law to that effect.

In 1956, the Duplessis government finally grants farmers a law on farm products marketing and the first collective marketing agreement is signed on June 18, 1956 between the Conserverie Ernest Carrière and the Syndicat des producteurs de fruits et légumes du district nord de Montréal.

The year 1965 would mark the end of a series of amendments to the Act Regarding Farm Products Marketing. From then on, joint plans—tools that, under the law, give farmer groups the power to organize collectively to market a given product—are allowed to cover the entire production of a given sector. Boards responsible for managing these plans are funded through compulsory assessment. In addition to collective agreements, the boards (groups of farmers that manage a joint plan) can set up sale agencies and can also set production quotas.

Strengthened by these new powers, specialized groups of farm producers set up the first provincial joint plans. Very quickly, the provincial boards needed better co-ordination at the national level, especially regarding border controls and supply management. In 1967, the Canadian Dairy Commission is created and in 1971, a federal law will oversee the powers of national boards.

As early as 1968, crop insurance is established for some production sectors. Income stabilization insurance programs will be set up in 1975. These two measures, which the UPA has been demanding for a long time, allow for a better protection of farmers’ income against market price fluctuations and weather-related disasters.

The Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA)

With this Act, the definition of the profession and the representativity of the UPA within that profession were officially recognized. The Act defined the status of producers, recognized only one authorized association to represent Québec farm producers and granted that association, subject to certain requirements, the right to levy mandatory assessments and contributions. It is a right that, through referendum, UPA members overwhelmingly agreed to give their association.

The year 1972 also marks the beginning of major changes within the organization. The concept of local syndicate is reviewed and extended to three to six of the original local or parish syndicates. Progressively, the total number of units goes down, from 828 to 178 in 1975. This reorganization is in keeping with the organization’s renewed energy, something that will prove essential in the feverish context of the times.

In the 1970s and 80s, the UPA is at the forefront of all the great battles: agricultural zoning, taxation system, regional development, joint plans consolidation, compensation according to actual production costs, income stabilization insurance, recognition of the role of women in agriculture, negotiation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, etc.

The 1979 UPA Congress sees a vigorous re-affirmation of the producers’ faith in the joint plans formula. The importance of having total control over product marketing, from farm to plant, is also strongly underlined. Delegates also reaffirm the role of co-operatives. The UPA stimulates and supports the implementation of collective tools and twelve new provincial joint plans are implemented between 1978 and 1991.

During the 1980s, the organization of farm product marketing by farmers syndicates takes another form and experiences many successes. Quota systems regulate three productions: dairy, poultry and eggs. Several groups enter into agreements with purchasers as part of their joint plans. The Fédération des producteurs de porcs establishes an electronic auction for the sale of feeder pigs. The five categories of beef producers acquire tools to meet their specific needs. A sales agency and electronic bidding system are implemented. Specialized auctions are organized and payment guarantees are negotiated.

During the decade of the 90s, the federations and specialized syndicates significantly increase their investments in the areas of research and promotion. In doing so, they succeed in leveraging contributions from numerous partners.

All the while, new production sectors organize on a collective basis and join the ranks of the UPA: rabbits, goats, bisons, aquaculture, organic farming

At the turn of the century, more than 85% of Québec farm products are collectively marketed by specialized groups.

The 90s also see the full emergence of economic globalization: the after-GATT, the new EU, the FTAA, etc. Québec agriculture no longer has closed borders. It must get in tune with international trade and global rhythms.

Finally, the 1990s and 2000 were marked by environmental concerns: farmers voted in favour of sustainable agriculture, capable of reconciling short-term profitability with long-term productivity, consumers and society’s demands with environmental protection. In 1994, the UPA developed a genuine agro-environmental strategy which not only protects resources, but also ensures the sustainable development of farming activities.

At the dawn of the 21st century, new challenges await farmers: market opening, concentration in the transformation and distribution sectors, new consumer expectations, all will command new and innovative ways of doing things that will draw on the strength of nearly 100 years of collective action.

More than ever, the UPA has become an essential mechanism in the organization not only of a profession but of an entire economic sector. The UPA is now a leader in Québec’s agri-food community. The challenge will be to adapt to ever changing conditions, a feat in itself, and to continue to bring together those it serves.