Letters: Canola tariffs not the crisis politicians, industry suggest

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Are China’s tariffs on Canadian canola oil and canola meal a bad joke or are they real?

Our Canadian farmers have been subjected to a falling market and endless negative news. Judging by the conversations I have had with present-day farmers, I felt something wasn’t quite right with what the naysayers were spouting.

After 25 years of being a farmers’ representative to the grains industry, maybe some thought I could come up with some positive news.

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That’s difficult when the Grain Exchange, grain companies and provincial government representatives and leaders of many farm groups were busy declaring: “The sky is falling in.”

However, my years of involvement suggested that I should start looking at all the information and start asking hard questions:

First, canola seed (raw product) was not tariffed but the canola oil and meal are under a tariff. So why the huge dip in the street price of canola? Was the grain exchange engaging in a “chase the market down” scenario?

Please remember that grain traders can take positions in the market to protect themselves against a sudden rise or drop in prices. To be abundantly clear: China only said that they would put a tariff on the canola oil and meal.

So why did the representatives of the grain exchange, grain companies and, of course, a number of spokespeople in the government of Saskatchewan, continue to act as everything was tariffed? Perhaps we can expect groups to ask to be compensated for their financial losses. Good luck with that.

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Micheal Halyk, Yorkton

Don’t overreact to trade uncertainty

There is so much uncertainty in our world these days. Since U.S. President Donald Trump’s election last November, the political landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation. Unpredictable actions including global tariffs and other worries continue to impact international relations.

In response, Canada’s major political parties have proposed expensive measures aimed at increasing the country’s self-sufficiency and reducing its reliance on the United States.

While I agree this situation provides Canada an opportunity to reconsider its dependence on the U.S. and avoid unnecessary confrontations with countries like China and India, the long-term financial impact of these costly proposals requires important scrutiny.

Canada seems poised to face a financial burden, as both major parties have promised tax cuts, pipeline development, and increased defence spending. These measures risk leading to a growing deficit, inflation, and ballooning national debt.

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Decisions today should be made within the context of how they will impact the well-being of future generations.

Ted Jaleta, Regina

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