Minister Ritz's background

[ado089]

I'll put money on them
canceling outstanding old
crop cars when we get to new
crop.

[perfecho]

Braveheart...went to a meeting with Ritz a few years ago. Asked some questions on the BSE law suit, after some research after the meeting, and discovered he was not telling the truth....but I think he has said them so many times he thought they were the truth.

[grower99]

These are the talking points he has
memorized. His minders (pmo staffers) will
never let him stray from the party line.
Just heard about a seed cleaner's (he is
not a seed grower) comment that he will be
out of business in a few years as farmers
will be buying certified seed every year!

[TOM4CWB]

Grower99,

Seed Cleaners can't clean Certified Seed? AND why
can't they? You are kidding right?

[grower99]

I got this second hand but the cleaner was
saying there would be no farm saved seed
to clean as everyone will be buying cert
seed. Registered cleaners can clean
pedigreed seed.

[Braveheart]

Hashtag paranoia.

[LEP]

This whole thread is BS. Being a politician is the
most thankless job in the world.

I think people looking back over time will count
Ritz as one of the most productive ag ministers in
history.

When GATT broke down, the conservatives
decided to get busy and work on bilateral
agreements. They now have many successful
agreements that help trade in many sectors
including ag.

[Oliver88]

Good points LEP, Ritz has been very productive,
there is no denying that.

Ritz and company have hit a lot of home runs as
far as getting bilateral trade agreements done.
Just recently the CETA and South Korean deals
will both be huge.

The Trans Pacific Partnership will be the next one
being put together likely.

[sumdumguy]

Minister Ritz can only be as good as the staff
around him. Because he can't know everything
on every pertinent issue, he depends on
researchers and analysts to predict potential
problems, research the area, crunch numbers
and make him look smart. I have met some of
his.

[TOM4CWB]

Gerry often tries to be 'informal' in
his communications, To break the ice so
to speak.

Some folks take offense... Media loves
to twist his words... Dwelling on
negatives rather than a positive upbeat
tone of approach as was intended.

Being harsh is an indication of cultural
norms in Coffee Shop talk... With put
downs and banter that some find
amusing... Young folks desire a positive
attitude to work in... Or they leave.

Just saying... Being Oscar the grouch
accomplishes little except an ego boost
for the person insulting others.

Shallow ways better left behind in our
new social community!

Cheers

[Braveheart]

The thing is it's easy to blame others when things
go astray. Certainly mistakes were made by many
this year. But, you can't change the past.
Affecting policy is more than an uphill battle, it's a
bottomless pit.

The best approach for farmers is alert your farm
org to the issue and urge action. You pay
memberships, use them. Then, as an individual,
adapt as best you can. You have control over your
own actions. YOU, are within your circle of
influence. Policy is only in your circle of concern.

Constant bashing of Gerry Ritz won't change
anything. If you want to be involved in meaningful
policy change, rather than bashing, your
statement should say, "what the Minister needs to
do is . . .". You'll start feeling better. More
positive.

Cheers!

[bucket]

I have sent emails indicating the minister needs to implement a transparent reporting system similar to that of the USDA.

The emails go unanswered, meanwhile I read TOMs post about how he talks to RITZ. The fart smelling farmers that have RITZs ear are not going to help solve the problem because according to TOM, it is solved.

[foragefarmer]

Tom you stated "Gerry often tries to be informal in his communications to break the ice" would this statement fall within that category.

Ritz made national news when, in response to the 2008 Canadian listeriosis outbreak he was quoted as saying, "This is like a death by a thousand cuts. Or should I say cold cuts."

I guess the families and freinds of the people who lost their lives because of the listeriosis outbreak really appreciated this as you call it "icebreaker"

Harper had to put Mr Ritz in hiding for several months after that "Icebreaker" Tom I guess Gerry's statement would make him an " Oscar the Grouch".

Pleease for all you posters coming to the defence of Mr Ritz I asked a simple question what is Gerry's background? I didn't ask if you thought he was the greastest Ag Minister of all time or if he had great staffers.

[bucket]

His staffers are just other MPs kids.

MP Dreeshen has his son working in RITZs office.

[LEP]

That comments was made at a meeting of CFIA
officials who were taking a lot of heat, not said to
the media.

It was not the best choice of a wisecrack and he
admitted it. How about Trudeau's comments said
to the media about Ukraine.

If you are implying he isn't qualified to be ag
minister, explain how Kathleen Wynne qualifies.

Ritz is from Rosetown , a great grain growing
region with a few mixed farmers. Not a lot of
swine, dairy, greenhouse etc. Now name me one
ag minister that had a solid background in all
areas of ag. They likely don't exist.