To the Editor:
Canada lost a genuine character last week with the passing of the Honourable Eugene Whelan.
It was my good fortune to know Gene for a good portion of his time in federal politics. He became Canada's Agriculture Minister in 1972, just two years before I was first elected in the big rural Saskatchewan riding of Assiniboia. We subsequently campaigned together, both in Saskatchewan and across the country.
Gene Whelan was a man of the soil in more ways than one.
His "earthy" use of language always made it an adventure to have a conversation with him or listen to one of his speeches. More times than not, those speeches with their unusual grammar and colourful turns-of-phrase elicited standing ovations.
He didn't rely on contrived audiences to ensure sympathetic responses, or spin-doctors to craft messages in which every word was market-tested by a pollster. Gene was absolutely unfiltered, and he connected with people like few politicians can ever do.
One thing was always abundantly clear - Whelan stood for agriculture and for farmers, and whatever they might have thought about his politics, farmers always knew they never had a more loyal friend and advocate. His trademark green Stetson was a tribute to the sector he loved so much.
Gene was also a relentless campaigner for Canada and national unity. Pierre Trudeau relied on him extensively to build enthusiasm and stamina among Canadians to withstand the wearying tactics of those who promoted separatism. Typically before a speech in a church basement in some corner of the country, he would unfurl a Red Maple Leaf Flag and prop-up a hand-lettered sign reading "Whelan: Canadian!"
It's maybe not as well known that Gene played a helpful role in Russian perestroika and ending the Cold War.
Long before he became President of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev was the Soviet Agriculture Minister. He and Whelan became friends, and he made a lengthy visit to Canada with Eugene constantly at his side. A former Soviet Ambassador to Canada credits that visit with shaping some of the fundamentals that would eventually transform global politics.
Closer to home, many Canadians will remember Gene Whelan for his commitment to democratic producer-controlled marketing systems, his passion for agricultural research and his support for grassroots rural organizations like PFRA.
He will be missed, because he was genuinely interesting and authentic. And he did a lot of good. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Liz and their family.
Ralph Goodale, MP, Wascana, SK.
