Those of us here in southern Ontario have no doubt heard the big news this morning – that farmers, upset with their treatment by Queen’s Park (where our Premier and his crew sit), are taking a big old convoy from three directions outside Toronto and driving along our major highways to meet AT Queen’s Park. They’ll do a little shouting and picketing, then at 2:30 make the return trip. Of course, this pretty much screws up everyone who has to drive in or near Toronto today. Which brings me to my point.
I don’t get it. What’s the purpose of this exercise? The only way this makes sense to me is if the sole and only goal is to gain awareness, with no concern for good or bad publicity. However, it’s no secret that farmers aren’t making money. Any grants or handouts by the Government tend to go to large scale producers or the middlemen/slaughterhouses, but not to the smaller scale farmers such as my wife’s family. Which brings me to my second point. If your goal is to not only gain awareness but change things from the status quo would it not behoove you to have the general pop on your side? Because I can tell you one thing – screwing up everyone’s commutes today is going to create anger, and should you need us (ie. to vote) you’re going to lose that support.
Should be interesting to see the end result of this, even if it’ll take a couple years.
Cheers!