Should farmers vote in the election?

Dear Editor,
 Should farmers vote in the upcoming Federal election?  Some pundits and journalists are saying that there just aren’t any important agricultural issues out there, that farmers now realize that nothing can be done, and that farmers have given up trying to make a difference. 
 Bull.
 It’s easy to find important issues that make a real difference to a farmer’s bottom line, and it’s just as easy to find real differences in the way political parties would deal with each issue.
 To keep this letter concise, I will pick only three issues of direct financial importance to Canadian farmers:
 1. Beef packer gouging.  At the end of the last session of Parliament, the Agriculture committee found two huge U.S.-based beef packers to be in contempt of Parliament for not opening their books up to forensic auditors.   Two of the three major parties voted to hold the beef packers accountable to the people of Canada, the other party wanted no such accountability which will help the gouging continue.
 2. Farmer-owned hopper cars.  Farmers have worked hard to enter into negotiations with the Federal government in order to own and operate the hopper car fleet.  Ownership would give farmers another meaningful stake in the grain trade.  Two out of the three major parties seem very supportive.
 
3.  The Canadian Wheat Board.  The “integrated North American market” for cattle has cost Canadian farmers billions since the U.S. border closure.  Wheat and barley farmers are lucky that the CWB actively seeks out markets all over the world, so that one trade barrier does not bring the grain industry to a grinding halt.  Two of three major parties are supportive of the CWB and of farmers’ right to choose their marketing system.  The other major political party is opening saying that it will kill the CWB’s effectiveness regardless of the wishes of farmers.
 These issues, and others like them, are profoundly important to the financial health of Canadian farmers.  There are real differences in the approaches of the political parties, and it is time well-spent for farmers to seek out the party that will represent their views.
 
When you have found the party that will give you more power and say in how the system works, please take the time to vote.  With changes in the financing of political parties, and possibly a close Federal election this time around, your voted is important.   
 Sincerely,
Stewart Wells
President, National Farmers Union
Swift Current, SK