What has happened to the farm lobby, wonders the Liberal ag critic and former head of the National Farmers Union, and its historic role of holding governments to account?
by BARRY WILSON
Back in the day, politicians courted farm leaders. They were an important pipeline to an important constituency. They articulated goals for a key sector.
When the president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) cleared his throat in the 1970s and told the federal government what was needed, they listened and tried to respond.
That was then. These days, farm leaders are judged by whether they are telling politicians what they want to hear.
If not, they are sidelined.