FREE TRADE, AGRICULTURE, SUPPLY MANAGEMENT

FREE TRADE, AGRICULTURE, SUPPLY MANAGEMENT.
April 26, 2010

kamp.r@parl.gc.ca
randy@randykamp.com
marc.dalton.mla@leg.bc.ca
randy.hawes.mla@leg.bc.ca

Free trade and dialogue

Hi to my representatives,

2 themes. Free trade and dialogue between constituents and their representative.

First let me introduce myself. I lean heavily toward libertarianism, I believe in the maximum possible personal liberty, I believe in a minimum of government, I believe markets are more efficient and effective at setting prices and allocating resources than are bureaucrats and politicians. I believe in these values more strongly than does either our federal conservatives or our provincial liberals. I claim to be a better economist than Stephen Harper. You can check out my credentials at :
http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/dr-daniel-lumon-mcdonald/18/6a0/1a1

FREE TRADE
Everyone is in favor of free trade. Well not quite, everyone is in favor of "free trade except for x,y,z". I am in favor of free trade full stop.

A National Post editorial of April 16 highlighted the danger that our existing dairy and egg cartels [a.k.a. "supply management"] pose to freer trade.
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=2913133

At issue is the probability we are inadmissible to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

They rightly say we will not gain admission unless we dismantle our agricultural cartels.

We are hypocrites. We angrily rail at the US on free trade in lumber and fail to acknowledge the timber in our own eye.

This is both a provincial and a federal issue.
I ask for a clear statement from each of you as to your party's stance AND your personal stance on free trade in general and on the agricultural cartels in particular.


[note: the remainder of the communication dealt with DIALOGUE AND TRANSPARENCY and was posted as a blog with title "BLOGS FOR POLITICIANS posted May 19, 2010"]

Sincerely
Daniel McDonald
NOTE: The replies will be posted as separate comments by Daniel. This will keep the thread of communication clear for each of the 3 representatives.
May 21 update note.
Replies from Randy Hawes and Marc Dalton have been posted by Daniel as comments.
No reply to date from Randy Kamp.

CONSERVATIVES ON FREE TRADE #1

Sent: April 30, 2010 11:46 PM
To: Trost, Bradley - M.P.
Subject: Question re free trade

April 30, 2010

Question re free trade

Trost.B@parl.gc.ca

Dear Mr. Trost,

I read with great interest your "Free Trade for Columbia" in today's
Financial Post.
http://www.financialpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=2968336

Of course everyone is for free trade. Well not quite. Everyone is for
"free trade except for X,Y,Z..."

I'm more of a conservative than your party so naturally I agree with
your stance and with your article.

BUT, one thing puzzles me.
You say
"Free trade in agriculture will also allow the poor and other consumers
to purchase foodstuffs at lower prices because tariffs on Canadian
wheat, barley, lentils, peas and other crops will disappear. Thousands
of small Colombian bakeries will now have the option to buy Canadian
flour at the lowest possible price, making food more affordable for
all."

I was under the impression that your party was for ""free trade except
for X,Y,and agricultural products...".

Please clarify for me exactly what your party's policy is with respect
to trade in agricultural products.

Thanks for your attention,
Daniel McDonald

NOTE BELOW THE FOLLOW UP. THE LESSON IS THAT ON THIS SUBJECTS OUR PARLIAMENTARIANS ARE UNWILLING TO BE STRAIGHTFORWARD.
Subject:
RE: Question re free trade
Date:
Thu, 6 May 2010 15:58:52 -0400
From:


Dear Mr. McDonald,

Thank you for your e-mail message. Your comments concerning Mr. Trost's OpEd in the Financial Post have been forwarded to his attention.

Due to the high volume of correspondence received, only constituents of Saskatoon-Humboldt will receive a further response.

Sincerely,

Vikki Ruby
Assistant to Brad Trost, MP
Saskatoon--Humboldt
113 Justice Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

May 19, 2010

request reference conservative policy

Trost.B@parl.gc.ca

Dear Mr. Trost,

Your assistant, Vikki Ruby, has indicated that you will not respond further to my query regarding the conservative stance on free trade.

I feel disappointed.

Here I am doing my best to promote the Conservative Party, even to the extent of posting on my blog. You are frequently quoted in the press as being an MP well informed and an advocate of free trade.

My simple query was:
"Please clarify for me exactly what your party's policy is with respect to trade in agricultural products."

Surely the Conservatives have a policy and it would be easy for you to direct me to it.
I have tried the Conservative web site
http://www.conservative.ca/
It is not very helpful. Without a search capability I cannot find any reference to trade policy.

As is my policy I post my searches for information on my blog, along with the responses.
http://dlmblogmissn.blogspot.com/
Regards,
Daniel McDonald

http://dlmblogmissn.blogspot.com/

Subject:
FW: request reference conservative policy
Date:
Fri, 4 Jun 2010 14:18:43 -0400
From:

CC:

Dear Mr. McDonald,

Thank you for your e-mail message. Due to the high volume of correspondance received, Mr. Trost must direct his attention to addressing the inquiries and concerns of his constituents.

However, we have forwarded your email to your Member of Parliament, Randy Kamp, for his consideration and response.

Sincerely,

Vikki Ruby
Assistant to Brad Trost, MP
Saskatoon--Humboldt
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6