WINNIPEG – Tom Jackson’s hunger strike has become a family affair as he makes his way across the country with his protest against the monopoly powers held by the Canadian Wheat Board.
While picketing outside the wheat board, Jackson said his wife Lucy joined him in fasting on April 24, and son Daniel, 12, started refusing food on April 29. Jackson said he was worried about his son, who has accompanied him on the trek, and hopes he starts eating again soon.
At press time April 29, Jackson was parked in the loading docks at the wheat board’s office in downtown Winnipeg.
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“I’ve got my bags and I’ll get my sleeping bag and we’ll probably sleep in the wheat board building here,” Jackson said, adding he’ll stay until given an export licence for his grain at no cost.
Jackson’s journey started when he traveled from Ardrossan, Alta. to the U.S. border at Coutts last week as part of a convoy protesting the board’s monopoly on wheat and barley.
Jackson then went to Regina to picket outside Ralph Goodale’s constituency office. At 8 a.m. April 29, he landed at the wheat board.
A spokesperson for the board said he knew Jackson was coming. “Anybody coming to visit, especially farmers, we certainly try to accommodate them,” said Bob Roehle.
“To my knowledge, this is the first time we’ve had a farmer ask to sleep over, so we’ll have to make a decision on that towards the end of the day.”
Roehle said the wheat board does not want to give Jackson the permit because it would set a precedent, but said officials are facing a dilemma because the Jacksons are putting their health at risk.
“On the other hand, you really can’t run a civilized society with somebody trying to hold a gun to your head to get laws changed and laws by and large that are supported by a majority of farmers …,” Roehle said.
“I guess what we’re doing is playing it by ear and seeing how long Mr. Jackson intends to hold out, and I guess we’re hoping that sanity will prevail and he’ll rethink it,”
Jackson said his biggest worry is having his truck towed, and he vowed to protect it.
“I’ll lay down in front of the tow truck and just let them kill me. They’re trying to kill me anyways. I think it would be much more convenient if they hired a firing squad and shot me,” Jackson said.
Roehle said wheat board staff are working around the truck for the time being, which is blocking the loading docks.
