Re: Sept. 15, WP op-ed by agriculture minister Gerry Ritz.
It is such a relief to finally get a clear explanation as to why the Harper government is so fixated on dismantling the Canadian Wheat Board.
We should have seen it coming – all the signs are there. The wheat board is a communist plot. Nothing less than scorched earth will do to stamp this menace out. After all, how can you trust people that hire buses to travel long distances to attend meetings? Clearly dangerous people. Next thing you know they will try to market their grain together.
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Come on Mr. Ritz, your shrill tone and over-the-top rhetoric contributes nothing to the debate, while on the other hand, you call for positive input? …
If the Canadian public doesn’t pay close attention to the tactics of this government on this issue, we are headed for serious trouble.
Anti-board people characterize this issue as one of freedom, even human rights. They have never proven their case on economic ground, so this is their trump card.
So it’s freedom, you say? When was anyone forced to produce anything for the wheat board? When were machine guns or secret police involved telling you what and when to grow? A load of rubbish.
You know when you plant milling wheat, it will sell through the board for export. You have the option to plant all sorts of other crops or not plant at all, or leave this country. This is true complete freedom.
By acting as you are, Mr. Ritz, you are taking away my freedom of association with the 62 percent who want a wheat board. If you are really serious about positive change with input from co-op minded people, do the folowing:
No. 1. Start by backing off your plan to kill the board.
No. 2. Replace all appointed directors with elected farmers.
No. 3. Pass legislation to guarantee board access to continued federal government credit.
No. 4. Make the board truly at arms length from political interference.
Maybe then the board can thrive and this waste of energy will end.
Don Voss,
Spiritwood, Sask.
