With the federal election upon us, farmers as well as most voters are listening to the promises of politicians. I think though that voters should remember the lies politicians have told us as well when determining who and what party they should vote for. For politicians seeking re-election, like federal Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz and the minister responsible for the defunct Canadian Wheat Board it is easy to judge his promises by comparing what he said to what he actually did.
When Minister Ritz was questioned about the upcoming sale of the CWB he indicated farmers would be in charge of the new entity. Rather hard to figure out how Saudi Arabians and Bunge now qualify as Canadian farmers! Strike No.1.
In the previous federal election Ritz commented that farmers would get a vote on the future of the farmer-con-trolled CWB, but no vote occurred. Strike No. 2.
At a Parliamentary committee meeting Ritz claimed he had never received any invitation to attend a CWB directors meeting. Less than two minutes later he had to recant those words when it was proven he had received a written invitation to attend board meetings. Strike No. 3. You are out.
I could go on about him closing research stations, wrecking the PFRA, and burning agricultural research libraries across Canada, but that and the other wreckage he has created would make this letter way too long
When voters vote I sure hope they take into account not just politicians’ promises, but also the nonsense they have told. Hopefully they will come to the conclusion that it is not right to award politicians who continually make misleading statements, with your vote!
Kyle Korneychuk
Pelly
