national
farmers union
SASKATOON, Sask-"SaskPower's use of utility customers' money to bankroll the Fraser Institute is astounding. It shows that both SaskPower and the Government of Saskatchewan hold views which conflict with the best interests of Saskatchewan citizens," said NFU Region 6 (Saskatchewan) Coordinator Stewart Wells.
A corporate membership in the Fraser Institute costs $500. SaskPower, however, chooses to donate $5,000 annually.
The Vancouver-based Fraser Institute is dedicated to "...changing the nature of public discourse about the role of government in society." The Institute envisions a much reduced role for government and, indeed, for democracy. Institute executive director Michael Walker said in a 1991 Institute publication that "The Fraser Institute ... has been investigating ways in which the self-destructive economic forces unleashed by democratic political choice might be restrained."
To implement this philosophy, the Fraser Institute argues for the privatization of health care, the reduction or elimination of the minimum wage, and the reduction of the poverty line from approx. $15,479 to just $7,480.
Of special interest to farm families is the fact that Fraser Institute publications argue for the elimination of agricultural marketing boards and call for the elimination or privatization of the Canadian Wheat Board.
"Any Government which directly, or indirectly through its Crown Corporations, contributes to such an anti-democratic organization is helping to dismantle the structures which make Canada the envy of the world." said Wells.
"I would ask the President and the Board of Directors of SaskPower if they agree with the views and objectives of the Fraser Institute. I would ask Premier Romanow the same thing. I am certain that the vast majority of Saskatchewan citizens and SaskPower customers find such views reprehensible and such aims irresponsible," said Wells.
The National Farmers Union sent a letter today asking Premier Romanow to direct SaskPower to cease its support of the Fraser Institute and instruct all other Crown Corporations and government agencies to do likewise.
Delegates to the 28th Annual NFU Convention (Saskatoon, Nov. 27-30, 1997) passed a resolution condemning SaskPower's contributions to the Fraser Institute and calling on the NFU to "express its opposition to both Federal and Provincial Governments to any donations to, or membership in, the Fraser Institute or other like-minded organizations by any Crown Corporations." In accordance with this resolution, the NFU is sending letters to all provincial Premiers and to the Prime Minister to inquire whether other Crown Corporations or government agencies subscribe to, have membership in, or contribute money to the Fraser Institute or any similar advocacy group.
For More Information: