Jack Wilkinson is leaving his leadership role in
Ontario agriculture for the world stage, amid some muted criticism. He was
never able to move the federation, critics say, and the Ontario Federation
of Agriculture (OFA) was unable to communicate with its members.
Both criticisms are bum raps. First, we don’t believe
the federation has ever been on top of so many issues as now. It has spent
enormous sums and energy on communicating with members. Its offices are
open to calls for members. There’s hardly ever an "I’m not at my
desk right now..."
The criticism of inaction is the biggest bum rap. A
year and a half ago when cash crop farmers in the east rolled their
tractors over roads in protest, Wilkinson supported the protests, even
used OFA to provide a province-wide infrastructure to help it gain
momentum.
But he was leading a membership typical of Canadians at
the turn of this century. To use a phrase from columnist John Phillips,
they pursued harmony and shrank from conflict.
We now have a new president, Ron Bonnett, a northerner
who wants a clear vision for agriculture. He wants safety nets in place so
forward looking farmers can plan 10 and 20 years down the road. He wants
farm organizations to stop eating each other up and work as one group. And
he wants agriculture’s case put forcefully before the consumer.
He’s enthusiastic and he’s ready to go. He needs the support of
every farmer in the province. Give it wholeheartedly.
