Premier defends government position on farm crisis
by Tavis Newman

Premier Roy Romanow defended himself last week against criticisms by farmers for not being present at the many farm rallies held this summer.

Romanow said he has met with farmers several times in recent weeks to discuss issues of the farm crisis, and also emphasized that he doesn’t need to be in attendance at every farm-related event.

“The most important thing to remember is that this is a government,” said Romanow who was in Melfort Wednesday night for a pre-election rally.

“We don’t have 17 or 18 ministers who freelance. When the minister of agriculture speaks, he speaks for the government of Saskatchewan. When the deputy premier speaks, he speaks for the government of Saskatchewan.”

Romanow had most recently been criticized for not attending a large rally that took place in Regina at the legislature last Tuesday. However, Deputy Premier Dwain Lingenfelter and Agriculture Minister Eric Upshall were both in attendance.

Romanow explained that he had prior commitments.

“I had traveled from Rosetown and Biggar into Saskatoon for a cabinet meeting and meetings which had been long arranged before the rally,” he said.

Romanow said he supports Saskatchewan farmers in their grievances, but hinted that rallies have reached the extent of their usefulness.

“Bringing the problem to the attention of the Canadian public is very legitimate, and to that extent it’s been beneficial,” he said.

“However, like in all things, at some point or other there may be a value of diminishing returns here. I think at this point what needs to be done is a constructive, purposeful message to Ottawa and a way in which to deliver that message to Ottawa.”

Romanow said there isn’t much more the provincial government can do to help farmers. He said it should be a national responsibility because Saskatchewan farmers feed all Canadians, not just residents of the province.

Following Lingenfelter’s promise at last week’s rally to help farmers take their protest to Ottawa, Romanow said the provincial government will assist in opening doors in the nation’s capital, as well as helping in a financial way for the farmers’ transportation to get there.

“Our farmers can produce the best product in the world,” he told the crowd gathered in Melfort. “They can compete with any farm producer anywhere in the world, but they cannot on their own match or fight the treasuries of Washington or the European union. It is not a level playing field, and what Ottawa has done is walked away from fighting to level that playing field.”