Minister Ritz's background

[foragefarmer]

Can anybody on Agriville please tell me what Gerry Ritz's experience is with regards to agriculture.

I tried googling the information but it basically states he was a businessman, contractor and farmer. I have heard various stories of his past agricultural undertakings but only through the g****vine.

[furrowtickler]

He was a hobby farmer at best.

[tstep]

Was an ostrich farmer and not very good at it

[vvalk]

Furrow, typical coffee shop talk again! What's a
hobby farm? Do you know how much land he has
and if he rents it out or crop shares? Gets custom
work done?

[Braveheart]

Doesn't matter to me what his background is.
He's honest. He has conviction that he's doing the
best for the industry. He also has to work within
the gov't and other Ministries, especially finance,
transportation, and health.

Want to do something Ritz can't do? Write an
open letter to the shareholders of CN and CP
explaining how management let down an entire
nation. Tell them how their company is singled
responsible for the loss of reputation and
uncountable dollars to a huge sector of the
economy. Make sure at the next shareholders
meeting tough questions get asked.

[bucket]

RITZ could do that, if he could tell his staff to write the letter for him.

You guys can praise this guy if you want, but he paid to work on behalf of farmers within the ag ministry.

He was giving praise to the railways in November and by mid January he had a crisis on his hands.

He is getting bad advice from someone, and it is hurting his credibility.

[Braveheart]

First, yes he made a mistake in fall. But he wasn't
alone. There was poor reporting all around. The
thing is, you can't change the past.

The problem with grain transportation is that it
overlaps 2 portfolios, ag and transportation.
Ministry of Transport has always been nut less
when it comes to rail policy with teeth. I have a
strong suspicion it is that way this time as well. I
believe Ritz is getting stonewalled by senior civil
servants in Transport.

Direct some heat their way.

[bucket]

Can't get ahold of anyone in the transport ministry either.

These days with the technology of cell phones, emails and answering machines, you would think that the people you vote for have the courtesy to return call, emails etc.

Contrary to what most of you believe, I will take the time to listen, my opinion can change if it is justified, but this whole railroad crisis would not happen to this degree in the states, never.

It didn't take too long after the STB/DOT hearings on April 10th for an order to move fertilizer was issued.

And they will be watching it down there.

Here in Canada the government appears to have forgot they issued an Order to move grain.

Why is no one from either ministry reporting the results after the 4 week grace period?

Its optics, and RITZ/RAITT are doing a shitty job of instilling confidence that they know WTF they are doing.

I called my MP Anderson's office about the more recent unload info, they wouldn't release it.

Some good it does to issue a public order then keep everything secret.

[Hopalong]

Do not hear much from Ralph Goodale on grain
transportation. Doubt things would be much
different if he was agriculture minister.
There are better things for growers to do than
spend time cursing politicians.
Perhaps put some effort into learning and if you
have constructive thoughts, speak out at farmer
and value chain meetings.

[Hopalong]

Can agree with moving towards a US system but
many are against it.
Just look at complaints about US systems in
regards to variety development or grade
standards.

[bucket]

This is the sad thing about the incompetence all politicians show.

Hermanson was bitching about this problem in 1997, goodale was ag minister for a while, and along with RITZ they would rather argue about a solution than get something done.

Goodale could close the border in less than 24 hours, but can't get behind enforcing the current order. But then again neither can RITZ or RAITT.

And Hermanson, well, he made a career out of doing nothing in the grain industry. Farmers are trying to prebook producer cars because of the current **** up and he has squashed any plans for farmers to try something different.

[Braveheart]

Are you saying farmers can't order producer cars?
It's part the Canada Grain Act that Hermannson
administers. If the CGC is quashing producer car
orders heads should roll.

In fact, the government should, as part of new
regulation, be increasing the number of producer
car loading sites across the prairies. We need
more competition for grain cos.

[foragefarmer]

Hopalong why bring up Ralph Goodale, Ritz is in charge now. The Conservatives are the governing party and have been for seven years. Yet you are telling farmer's to quit cursing politions not sure what you tring to say.

[Hopalong]

As I recall, revenue entitlement agreement was
brought in under Goodale.
Farmers can't agree on changes or even if
changes would have helped.
Unfair to just blame politicians.

[bucket]

You can't order new crop producer cars last I
heard. Hermanson can't get his head around why
farmers want to order early.

Apparently they figure it will mess up their
schedules.

You don't need crop years. If you have grain you
should be able t o order cars. Whenever.