Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Bob Friesen says farmers could hold the balance of power in as many as 25 rural ridings in the next election and they should judge candidates in part on whether they respect farm leaders.
In a published commentary and a later interview, Friesen said politicians and governments appear to be increasingly suggesting farm leaders do not represent real farmers.
“I sense a tendency to try to bypass farm leadership who have messages, if they don’t want to hear the message,” he said. “Politicians and government need to realize and respect the fact that farm leaders represent their members who democratically elect them. They should not cherry pick to find someone they can agree with.”
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In a commentary issued March 27, the CFA leader said some MPs recently have said they don’t want to talk to elected farm leaders.
“They want to talk to real farmers,” he said. “What politicians seem to forget is that we are real farmers and we are the farmers you have elected to carry your message forward.”
Although Friesen did not name names, his lament follows a blunt message from agriculture minister Gerry Ritz in March that on the Canadian Wheat Board issue, he consults with and listens to farm groups that agree with his position that the CWB barley monopoly should be removed.
Ritz rhymed off a list of anti-monopoly groups that he has listened to, not one of them aligned with the CFA. Those who disagree should fall in line or get out of the way, he said.
