I see the Star Phoenix published our PM is misguided for his Farmer v grain transportation comments at SARM.
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Election about Harper base/10885952/story.html
"“By now you might have gathered that SARM types are a set-in-their-ways lot, highly protective of their own self-interests. This was evident in a few of the delegates' questions to the prime minister about the need to get tougher with the railways, which some say are still not making the movement of western grain their priority, plus addressing U.S. trade barriers on beef."
"Matters to all"
Letter submitted By Bryan Rogers from Grain Growers of Canada, TO The StarphoenixMarch 19, 2015
"Re: Election all about Harper's base (SP, March 13). We are disappointed to see Murray Mandryk characterizing Prime Minister Stephen Harper's concerns over Canada's rail freight transportation deficiencies as merely an example of the rural community's "self-interests."
Let's be clear. The agriculture and agri-food sector is a significant contributor to the Canadian economy. In 2012, it employed more than two million people and generated $103.5 billion, accounting for 6.7 per cent of Canada's GDP. Saskatchewan contributed about a quarter of that. This is remarkable, considering how quickly rural populations have shrunk in recent years. Much of our sector is export-dependent, with $56 billion in sales last year. This demand for Canadian agricultural products continues to grow across the globe, especially as new markets are opened and access to existing markets is improved through trade deals such as Canada-Korea, Canada-EU and the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
The key point is that rural issues impact Canada's economy and international reputation, and thus are in the interests of all Canadians. Canada has always had a strong agriculture sector of which we can all be proud.
Bryan Rogers"
Executive Director Grain Growers of Canada
Link to the letter, as it appeared in the paper: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Matters/10901988/story.html
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/Election about Harper base/10885952/story.html
"“By now you might have gathered that SARM types are a set-in-their-ways lot, highly protective of their own self-interests. This was evident in a few of the delegates' questions to the prime minister about the need to get tougher with the railways, which some say are still not making the movement of western grain their priority, plus addressing U.S. trade barriers on beef."
"Matters to all"
Letter submitted By Bryan Rogers from Grain Growers of Canada, TO The StarphoenixMarch 19, 2015
"Re: Election all about Harper's base (SP, March 13). We are disappointed to see Murray Mandryk characterizing Prime Minister Stephen Harper's concerns over Canada's rail freight transportation deficiencies as merely an example of the rural community's "self-interests."
Let's be clear. The agriculture and agri-food sector is a significant contributor to the Canadian economy. In 2012, it employed more than two million people and generated $103.5 billion, accounting for 6.7 per cent of Canada's GDP. Saskatchewan contributed about a quarter of that. This is remarkable, considering how quickly rural populations have shrunk in recent years. Much of our sector is export-dependent, with $56 billion in sales last year. This demand for Canadian agricultural products continues to grow across the globe, especially as new markets are opened and access to existing markets is improved through trade deals such as Canada-Korea, Canada-EU and the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
The key point is that rural issues impact Canada's economy and international reputation, and thus are in the interests of all Canadians. Canada has always had a strong agriculture sector of which we can all be proud.
Bryan Rogers"
Executive Director Grain Growers of Canada
Link to the letter, as it appeared in the paper: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Matters/10901988/story.html
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