Dear Editor:
During the proposed takeover of Potash Corporation, Premier Wall was both visible and vocal in ensuring Saskatchewan interests were not jeopardized.
Sadly and inconsistently, he has been dreadfully silent on the federal government's intention to efficiently destroy the Canadian Wheat Board. Although the Premier's government has indicated it supports marketing choice, he seems willing to accept that this will involve farmers choosing between a mere handful of self-interested multinational corporations to deal with. He has also indicated that his government will not engage on this issue, because it is a federal issue. How ironic it is that the approval of the Potash takeover was also a federal issue, but that did not stop Premier Wall then. Perhaps the Premier is really more concerned about big corporate interests, rather than farmer's and Saskatchewan's interests!
Supposedly, the federal government has indicated it wants the CWB to be a strong and viable entity after it loses the single desk. One would think that the Premier would want to know what strong and viable means and what the federal plan is. Or is he just staying on the sidelines to allow the grain industry to carve up the pieces?
Irrespective of the Premier's personal views, he needs to ensure there will be benefits for the farmers of Saskatchewan from any federal action. If the benefits are there, he needs to clearly define them. If there are no benefits, he needs to follow up his potash performances with a performance for farmers and oppose the federal government's actions. Anything less would be remiss on the Premier's part!
Eric Sagan
Melville, Saskatchewan
