To the Editor,

Stephen Harper’s personal vendetta against the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) continues with more disturbing examples of Conservative sabotage in the current barley plebiscite.

While Mr. Harper claims to be giving farmers a democratic vote on barley marketing, he has so badly skewed the process that the result cannot be trusted.

First, many farmers have serious questions about the eligibility rules for who gets to vote. The playing field is tilted against those who prefer the CWB’s single-desk system.

Secondly, by failing to ask a clear-cut question about whether producers want the single-desk or an open-market, the Conservatives are suggesting farmers can have both simultaneously. But under questioning in Parliament, the government has been forced to admit their dual marketing option kills the single-desk. So their ballot question is a fraud.

Third, the ballots going to farmers are numbered in such a way that every vote is traceable. This is a fundamental violation of democracy. The vote is NOT secret. And given Mr. Harper’s reputation for vindictiveness, it’s no wonder producers are worried about the Conservatives retaliating against those who vote for the single-desk.

And fourth, to concoct a majority of votes against the CWB, government officials have speculated that they may try to add together all the votes cast for Option B (dual marketing) and Option C (the open market). This tactic would break the law on how producer plebiscites are to be handled. But what’s worse, the vote isn’t even over yet and the Conservatives are already trying to “gerrymander” the results.

So Mr. Harper’s dirty tricks abound.

People of goodwill can have genuine disagreements over which kind of marketing system is best. And such differences can be resolved through a clear, fair and honest producer vote.

But what cannot be condoned by anyone is a devious government that repeatedly behaves no better than a petty thug.

Ralph Goodale, MP
Regina-Wascana