Farmers question their support for OLA

The Ontario Landowners' Association president Randy Hillier has gone too far in criticizing farmers, a move that will only alienate his from the mainstream, argues outspoken Moose Creek crop farmer and president of the Seaway Grain Processos, Alan Leduc.

Some landowners association members agree. In fact, recent developments have caused a backlash among some landowner supporters in Prescott County. 

In a letter by Hillier sent to Farmers Forum and The Ontario Farmer, Hillier called the recent protesting farmers "beggars on tractors" and argued that they are the authors of their own destruction. Farmers Forum did not run the letter because of length. 

"We have seen these welfare farmers during the past few weeks on Parliament Hill and at food terminals, in what was a shameful exercise of mock protests," Hillier argued. "Those who pretend to blockade food, while allowing shipments much have felt humiliation. This halfhearted protest to solve the problems of the farm was in fact no attempt at all. It was a coward's way of disguising inaction."

The protestors allowed three food trucks into an Ottawa terminal every hour, creating a waiting period of up to 20 hours for some truckers.

Hillier's history on agriculture is shot and he doesn't understand the problems the industry faces, Leduc said. "We're not beggars on tractors. We stood up to make people aware of the industry. Food distributors realized there can be a shortage of food. It really woke people up. The Canadian food supply was in danger. That got the attention of both the federal and provincial governments. The farmer (recognized) the power he holds." 

Leduc noted that the latest tactics by grassroots farmers were from the same page as the landowners' play book. "I sat in meetings when Hillier talked about closing food terminals," Leduc said. "is he saying his rallies are shameful too?"

The 48-year-old Hillier, an electrician, is head of the about 5,000-member OLA, which grew out of the three-year-old Lanark Landowners' Association, a property rights advocacy group. Hillier said he would never have a rally asking for money.

Hillier's letter criticized farm organizations for being self-serving, while farmers surrendered to a form of slavery.

"We're not slaves to anybody," Leduc said. "The producer has the option to produce and move into something else."

Leduc said Hillier is criticizing the same people who followed him. He added that farm organizations are run by producers themselves and that he's not happy with them himself at times. "But 30 years ago, farmers stood up to get supply management. It allowed the family farm to be sustainable."

Other grassroots farmers noted that Hillier had their support when he was defending property rights. Then he appeared to turn on supply management by holding a nonquota-holding chicken farmer.

"I don't want to start a war (with Hillier)," said one Prescot County farmer, who is also a landowners' association member. "He does great work on water issues. But the egg producers are really mad."

Speaking on condition that his name not be used, the farmer added: "When (Hillier) supported a guy who doesn't own quota he divides farmers. We don't need that."

Russell County seed specialist and former hog farmer Robert Perras said he is reconsidering his support for the landowners' association after reading Hillier's latest comments. "He blames producers for the current situation," Perras said adding that you can't blame farmer for a power play in the industry. "It's a take over of power by multinational corporations. 

"You can't live off the marketplace," he added. "It's rigged. Europeans know this and have lived off subsidies for years."