On the explosive issue of ending the Canadian Wheat Board non-feed barley monopoly, the Conservative government listens only to groups that want the monopoly to end, agriculture minister Gerry Ritz bluntly told Canadian Federation of Agriculture leaders last week.
CFA and its members were not on his list.
Many CFA delegates at their annual meeting Feb. 28 were outraged by what they saw as a ministerial snub of the organization and for the highly partisan nature of the minister’s speech. Ritz left immediately, indicating he did not have time to take questions.
Read Also
Saskatchewan Co-ops to acquire Blair’s locations
Blair’s Family of Companies will be turning over the operation of six ag retail locations in Saskatchewan to local Co-ops
“I think that was the most inappropriate political speech I have ever heard,” former Wild Rose Agricultural Producers’ president Bill Dobson told the meeting after Ritz left. “It was nothing less than a kick in the teeth to every farm organization in this room.”
Merv Wiseman from the Newfoundland Federation of Agriculture said it was an arrogant speech.
“If you don’t feel insulted, you don’t have any feelings at all.”
Although CFA president Bob Friesen refused comment, the federation later issued a statement of mild rebuke.
“The farm leaders expressed strong concern with the political tone and content of some of the minister’s remarks,” said the statement.
“Delegates were disappointed the minister was unable to stay and answer questions.”
In a rapid speech that left CFA delegates incredulous, the minister listed the “key affected groups” he consults on the barley issue. From Western Barley Growers to elevator companies and three western provincial governments excluding Manitoba, they all oppose the monopoly.
Not one CFA member was on the list, just as none was invited to an Ottawa “consultation” in January with anti-monopoly interests.
Typically, except for the CWB itself, CFA members from Western Canada are divided on the issue and intervene only to insist that the government let farmers decide in a fair vote.
Ritz implied that is sitting on the fence.
“This government is listening to farmers and now is the time for real leadership,” the minister told silent delegates who offered only tepid applause at the end.
“This is no time to sit on the fence. Barley marketing freedom is coming and it’s time to lead, follow or get out of the way.”
He laid much of the blame on the CWB.
“The Canadian Wheat Board itself acknowledges that the status quo isn’t good enough but are so focused on their own survival they won’t see the avalanche about to hit them.”
Ritz mocked those who said the Conservative plebiscite was bogus that produced a vote of 62 percent either to end CWB involvement in barley marketing or have the CWB as a non-monopoly marketer in an open market.
Critics of the vote say farmers did not understand or were tricked by the wheat board in an open market option.
“If they can’t understand the question, they could probably have my grandson spell out the big words for them,” Ritz said.
Many CFA delegates saw it as an arrogant slap at any farm group that questions a government policy.
“I don’t appreciate being told I either agree with the minister or get out of the way,” said Manitoba farm leader Ian Wishart, president of Keystone Agricultural Producers.
CWB director Larry Hill, a CFA
delegate, said Ritz is entitled to his opinion and is free to try to change the board’s mandate through legislation.
“It was a very political speech but I guess the biggest affront that I saw was that he listed the farm groups he will listen to,” said Hill.
“I don’t know that was appropriate. I think the minister of agriculture is responsible to all producers.”
But not all CFA delegates found the Ritz overall message offensive. He spent most of his speech attacking previous Liberal governments for dithering and bragged that Conservatives are delivering the goods on many files.
Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Geri Kamenz said he understood western anger but outside the barley issue, Ritz addressed Ontario issues.
“As he spoke about issues that relate to Central Canada, I would suggest he said all the right things,” the OFA president said.
“You measure them by what they have done and he has done what producers asked for on the WTO (World Trade Organization), on delivering for the red meat industry, on supply management. They have followed up and delivered. That will be a different message from what you generally hear here today.”
