It is a clear blow to farmers and Canadian democracy that the Supreme Court decided not to hear the farmers’ appeal on whether the Conservative government had followed the law in abolishing the farmers’ single desk marketing system.
The Supreme Court usually hears cases that are of national importance. But look at the amazing number of farmer-related issues the Supreme Court apparently thought were not important.
• The farmers’ right to vote -- enshrined in law was taken away.
• More than $200 million in assets which farmers paid for were confiscated by the Conservatives without compensation.
• The minister defied a court decision but then hypocritically appealed that decision at the same time.
• The question of whether or not the minister of the day in fact had to follow the CWB Act.
And finally what about the integrity of a minister who promised a vote by farmers before any move would be made on the single desk while he was campaigning and then changed his mind after the federal election?
Apparently none of these things are of national significance. I would wonder what would happen if the Conservative government confiscated $200M of Canadian’s RRSPs? Would that be of national importance and deserve a Supreme Court hearing?
Susan Korneychuk
Emerald Park, Sask.
