Politicians Line Up for Votes at the IPM

The pleasant elderly farm couple, sitting next to me on the top row in the bleachers at the International Plowing Match in Crosby, are from Earlton in Northern Ontario. Like the 600 other people sitting in the stands, we are interested in seeing the opening ceremonies and listening to the political speeches.

We are sitting high up and directly in front of the stage. Between the stage and the stands is a large area that’s packed with people. There are four mounties (two males, two females) on horseback. There’s a marching band, girls in short green skirts, someone dressed as a Pinocchio mascot (from the Canadian Taxpayers Association). Television crews and reporters are here. The political people who came with Dalton McGuinty, John Tory and Howard Hampton are here. The leaders are on the stage.

Randy Hillier, in black suspenders, accompanied by his wife, are standing beside two huge garbage cans. Both are smoking. Randy is the PC candidate for Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox & Addington. He’s the former leader of the Lanark Landowners Association. I wonder what his leader, John Tory, is thinking. No one but the Hilliers are smoking.

Twenty guests are on stage. Most of them are politicians. Thirteen will give a short speech. Dalton has the most to lose. Three years ago he was booed at the IPM as he rode in the opening parade. This time his handlers left nothing to chance. His campaign bus arrived after the parade ended and Dalton is quickly escorted to the opening ceremonies by a pick-up truck.

The farm folks listen intently as the premier speaks. The farmer from Earlton nudges my arm when Dalton says "My government and I stood up for, and stood by farmers during the BSE crisis …."

"He stood by us all right! That’s all he did! He stood by us!," emphatically states the soft-spoken farmer. Dalton gets polite applause.

This is Runciman country. Bob Runciman signs are plastered all over the Leeds-Grenville riding. The Conservative MPP is well liked and respected. He’s won seven times. Bob receives good applause.  So it’s no surprise that John Tory gets a warm welcome and a rousing applause during and after his speech.

Federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion dons a blue and white checkered long sleeved shirt. He wore a red jacket in the opening parade. He looks troubled. Is it because of the recent Quebec by-election? His speech does not flow well. Applause is polite.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz is wearing a green shirt. Say, it’s the same green colour as the hat Eugene Whalen always wore at events. Gerry’s words just roll off his tongue. He gets a good applause.

The only speaker to actually mention farming and agriculture in detail is Howard Hampton. But then the NDP leader, decked out in a bright orange shirt, is also the party agricultural critic.  As a youth, Howard worked on a farm during the summer months. He lugged bales of hay. He says 2004, 2005 and 2006 were especially bad ones for farmers. Farmers, he said, are asked to carry too much risk. I’d say Howard gave the best speech. The applause is fair. This isn’t NDP country.  The Earlton farmer and I agree that John Tory got the best reception.

Before the speeches end, Hillier and his wife leave the garbage cans and go into the VIP Tent. It’s a big tent set up with tables and chairs. Finger foods and refreshments await. A couple wearing period costume stands by the entrance. I climb down the bleachers and peek inside the tent. Must keep an eye on that guy and see what he’s up to. Hillier is sprawled out at a table near the entrance. Boy, that guy is bold! Only three other people are in the tent.

The speeches are over and the VIPs head for the tent and the refreshments. A television crew from Kingston delays Howard. John Tory stops at the tent entrance when he sees Hillier already there and huddles briefly at the door with his advisors. It looks like he doesn’t want to be seen with his candidate. The two don’t meet –at least not here at the opening ceremonies.

And that’s how I saw it.