canoe on Bill 18

[malta]

The bill to end the Canadian Wheat Board's hold on all western Canadian sales of wheat and barley is due to pass third reading in a House of Commons vote Monday evening.

With his Alberta and Saskatchewan counterparts at his side, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz called the vote on the bill to make the wheat board voluntary "a choice between stifling the western economy and creating new jobs and economic opportunities."

Alberta Agriculture Minister Evan Berger agreed.

"There will be reinvestment, there will be rural reinvigoration, there will be opportunities to move back to the rural areas and open up businesses again in the value-added (industries)," said Berger.

A handful of protesters from the National Farmers Union showed up outside Ritz's morning news conference and screamed at the minister when he emerged.

"Bastards!" yelled purple-faced NFU board member and Alberta farmer Jan Slomp. "Hey, turn around! I'm coming for you!"


Slomp also accused the Alberta government of taking advantage of gullible farmers through its lobbying against a mandatory wheat board.

"There's too many dumb farmers that after 20 years of being lied to, they start believing it," Slomp said.

The Conservatives are pressing the Senate to pass the Marketing Freedom for Western Grain Act quickly once it clears the Commons.

Ritz says he expects "silly tactics" from the opposition in the Senate, but still hopes to see the bill receive royal assent before Christmas

[craig]

Jan Slomp has it down perfect. There are too many dumb farmers who after 20 years of being lied too actually believe it, Describes the CWB to a tee.

[charliep]

Home sick today. Interesting day to CPAC and the live (perhaps lively) debate.

[Fransisco]

Ahhh yes, where would we be without the clever language and intellectual vigour that is the NFU!

[malta]

From SDA:
I believe this is our man. (From a radio program in 2007 see link below)

I don't see "wheat" or barley "farmer" anywhere in his credentials. Am I missing something here?

Jan Slomp - Farmer / Alberta Coordinator, National Farmers' Union (NFU) (Rimbey, AB) - Born and raised in the Netherlands, landed as immigrants in Canada with his wife Marian and three children in the spring of 1989. They bought a small dairyfarm in Rimbey, central Alberta where their herd of 70-80 cattle are raised on grass. Jan is the Alberta coordinator of the NFU - a national organization that works toward the development of economic and social policies that will maintain the family farm as the primary food-producing unit in Canada.


http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/25137

[Braveheart]

If Jan, pronounced Yan, was threatening a Minister, can we deport him? There's no room for non natives (see Gangs of New York) here causing marxist demonstrations.

[Braveheart]

Sorry maybe it's pronounced Yawn.

[pgluca]

Another perfect example of CWB advertizing trumping critical thinking and analysis.

[wd9]

Imagine that a dairy farmer wanting to keep cheap feed. No motives there!

[Jfreedom]

Seen him in my hotel in Ottawa last night in
corner of lobby. Mat Gehls balls were
rhythmically slapping his chin while he awaited
his next assignment for the forces of darkness.
Sorry can't stop smiling today.

[grassfarmer]

"Imagine that a dairy farmer wanting to keep cheap feed. No motives there!"

No, dummy - as was explained in a previous post cost of feed is calculated into the price dairy farmers receive under the SM system. If it rises the milk price rises. Besides Mr Slomp grows all his own feed grain and he also grows grain for sale.

[silverback]

Hey dummy, how much of his family income is derived from grain forced into the cwb system?

[grassfarmer]

I don't think Wd9 would know that so I don't know why you were addressing that to him?
I can attempt to answer your question but it is wrong in so many ways its funny.
Firstly for a person that's all about individuality and preaches not sharing with others what business is it of yours how much of his family income is derived from grain sales?

Why would that be relevant in any case? the NFU is a farm organisation that represents all agricultural producers and as such Jan could be an Alberta board member, or the National President for that matter and comment on grain issues without being a grain grower. I guess that goes against your AB communist conservative views where you want to dictate who can speak on which issues.

Finally I should add there is no grain from the Slomp farm "forced into the cwb system" it is all willingly sold by someone who understands the power of collective marketing.

[FarmRanger]

The NFU has no problem advocating that all farmers, willing or not, should be forced to sell to the single desk.

I guess that fits perfectly your fascist NFU views where you want to dictate who can sell your grain and who can't.

[silverback]

The nfu sure as hell does not represent 99.99% of the farmers around here.

Around this area people are extremely charitable and generous with their time and money, the thing is that we will CHOOSE who is receiving the charity, not you, the nfu, or any other socialist organization.

I have a touch of respect for jan, at least he may actually grow some grain.