On Monday of this week more than 500 people concerned about the state of the pork industry in Manitoba gathered in Morris. While many of those in attendance were hog farmers, many others were either indirectly involved in the pork industry or simply wanted to show their support.
Also in attendance were elected representatives from various levels of government to hear first hand the severe challenges facing the industry and to look for a solution. These included the Reeve of Hanover, the leaders of both the provincial Progressive Conservative Party and provincial Liberal Party as well as representatives from the federal Conservative Party and Liberal Party.
Notably absent from the meeting was any elected representative from the provincial NDP government. While both Premier Gary Doer and Agriculture Minister Rosann Wowchuk were invited they declined the invitation. It may very well be that there schedules didn’t permit them to attend but it is difficult to believe that none of the other 34 members of the NDP Caucus were able to make it to this meeting. The NDP’s complete absence was simply another slap in the face for an industry that has taken far too many hits already.
What the NDP missed by not showing up at the meeting were real people talking about the real hardship they and their families face as a variety of factors beyond their control stricken the industry. The combined impact of low pork prices, high costs, country of origin labeling rules in the United States, a high Canadian dollar and most recently the improper labeling of the H1N1 virus as “swine flu” have driven many pork farmers to the brink of bankruptcy.
Many pork producers wondered why the provincial governments of Saskatchewan and Alberta have been quick to support their hog farmers through these times while Manitoba’s government does nothing. That was a question that went unanswered since there was nobody from the NDP government to answer it.
The fact is that there needs to be support similar to Saskatchewans made available to Manitoba hog farmers as well as a program that would allow those who wish to leave the industry with dignity and not financial ruin to do so.
No doubt the NDP knew that it would be a difficult meeting to attend. I suspect every politician who walked in that room knew there would be strong emotions. But the fact that a meeting may be difficult or uncomfortable is not an excuse for not having any representation at such a critical meeting. Mr. Doer and his Caucus need to remember they are not just getting paid to attend ribbon cutting ceremonies.
