We had to keep it a secret.
Had we told Barry Wilson that we were nominating him for induction into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, he probably would have found some way to stop us.
Our Ottawa correspondent is a humble person, who views his role, as all the best journalists do, as a mirror and archivist of the society in which he finds himself.
Barry believes in being in the background. We appreciate and respect that, but the value of Barry’s reporting is both hard to overstate and worth honouring, as are the basic traits that underpin his work.
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He is a true patriot, a man who loves Canada enough to be critical of it. He is motivated by a profound desire for his country to always become better.
He is a true cynic, in the best possible way, the way true journalists are. He keeps a close eye on Canadian and foreign agricultural policy, evaluates it and writes about it with clarity and fairness. In the world of communications, it doesn’t get any better than that.
He is a warrior on behalf of his paper, and on behalf of his readers. Barry has covered many world trade meetings, every one a gruelling experience.
After the 9-11 attacks on New York, for instance, he headed for Qatar, chosen for its high security but not for easy travel.
He was tear-gassed at The Battle in Seattle, when the trade talks became over-heated. Barry has braved a great deal more, bringing agricultural news and policy to western Canadian farmers. We can not think of another journalist who could have, or would have, done so.
He is a true archivist. When WP editors visited him in Ottawa, he loved to display his collection of prime ministerial memorabilia. Barry has donated his collection to Carleton University.
He is also the author of four books, two of them on agriculture.
He understands the passion of farmers for their land. Barry has a farm in Low, Que., a beautiful spot he loves.
He also loves the fact that can see the Gatineau hills, into which his farm is tucked, from his office on Parliament Hill.
He is an inspiration. Barry regularly files 10 stories and commentaries for every Western Producer edition, a remarkable output by any paper’s standard.
He has a love of Canada, and of the land, in his soul. We, as an agricultural community, could not be better served.
