Dear Mr.

Stewart, As a resident of Lumsden and the Thunder Creek riding I wanted to write you to pass along my comments on the recent open letter from Premier Brad Wall to SGEU President Bob Bymoen. My family first settled in Saskatchewan in 1905 when my Grandfather immigrated here from Sweden. Someone in my family has been farming this beautiful province for over 100 years through good times and bad. I think we can all acknowledge that the flooding this year, compounded with the losses in crops experienced last year, is putting a heavy toll on farmers in Saskatchewan. Nowhere is that hardship more heavy than in the southeast corner of the province. In a age where the majority of people live in urban centers there seems to be a disconnect with agriculture and our food supply. However, I believe that most people do understand the absolute devastation of the floods and the pressure it puts on not just farmers but all the supporting services and industries that rely on more "supportive weather conditions" to make their living. Apparently the SGEU and Bob Bymoen does not fall into this category of concerned citizens. It is hard for me not to be cynical; I can rant with the best of them and I'm not always trustful of politicians. However, I am fed up with, what appears to be a strategic move in an election year, of unions striking during some of most challenges times this province has seen in recent years. Yes, we have managed to do better than most but we see by example of the floods how events can devastate even a Province experiencing economic growth. This is not to say I don't support some of the great things that have been accomplished by labour movements in the past. However, the strike of the crop insurance employees is a heartless and selfish maneuver and I fully support Premier Wall's letter to Bob Bymoen. Please pass along my comments to the premier. As the son and brother of farmers that have toiled this province's land since it became a province, I am appalled with the actions of the SGEU. Shame on them and my regards to the Premier for calling it out in an open letter. Regards, Tim Peterson Lumsden, SK (306) 731-3585