What’s The Plan For Grain Marketing?

In light of the federal government’s plan to eliminate the Canadian Wheat Board’s (CWB) single desk marketing structure, we need to ensure discussion takes place between stakeholders during this key transitional period. KAP will not stand in the way of farmers accessing profitable markets – however that may be best achieved. Nevertheless, the implications of

Letters – for Jun. 23, 2011

Bipole boondoggle continues Another week, another round of rains drowning the grains and livestock sectors, another Manitoba Co-operator in the mail, and yet another letter from Rosann Wowchuk proclaiming the economic and environmental virtues of Bipole III. The former minister of agriculture gives us the same story: west side is good; east side is bad. A


Manitoba Government’s CWB Support Criticized

Open-market proponents are criticizing the Manitoba government for funding a campaign to let farmers decide the Canadian Wheat Board’s future through a vote. The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (WCWGA), the Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative opposition and federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz say the Manitoba government’s $180,000 advertising program is misguided. Premier Greg Selinger says removing

Will Producers Still Be Viable In An Open Market?

Short-line railway companies are asking the federal government what impact the end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s (CWB) single desk will have on the viability of producer cars, producer car-loading facilities and ultimately short-line railways. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says farmers will still have access to producer cars, but CWB chair Allen Oberg predicts it


Let Farmers Vote On Cwb

The Manitoba government is putting up $180,000 to pressure the federal government into letting farmers decide the Canadian Wheat Board’s future through a vote. The provincial government hasn’t ruled out funding a legal challenge to prevent Ottawa from unilaterally removing the CWB’s monopoly on the sales of all western Canadian wheat and barley destined for

Tories Want Ideas On Implementing CWB Change

The Canadian Wheat Board, farm groups and other grain industry stakeholders have this summer to submit their ideas to the Harper government for keeping the CWB viable without a monopoly on wheat and barley sales. David Anderson, the parliamentary secretary for the CWB, said in an interview legislation to end the monopoly won’t be presented


Sell Or Wind Down The CWB

Rhetoric is “language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but is often regarded as lacking in sincerity or meaningful content.” There’s been lots of it in the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) debate. But push came to shove with the election of a majority Conservative government May 2. The government says

Struthers Opposes Ottawa’s Open-Market Move

With many Manitoba farmers struggling to seed this year’s crop, news that the Canadian Wheat Board’s (CWB) sales monopoly will end Aug. 1, 2012 comes at a bad time, says Manitoba Agriculture Minister Stan Struthers. “The last thing they needed was to have the federal Conservative government come along and run a knife through the


In Brief… – for Jun. 9, 2011

New target:Former Dauphin MP Inky Mark has been elected by acclamation Manitoba director of Canada’s National Firearms Association. Mark served as Conservative MP for Dauphin-Swan River-Marquette for 13 years until last September when he retired from federal politics. He has also served as mayor of Dauphin. “Inky is a valuable addition to our team,” said

Let Farmers Vote On CWB — It’s The Law!

Section 47.1 of the Canadian Wheat Board Act is clear. If the minister responsible for the board wants to change the CWB’s “single-desk” marketing system, the minister must first do two things: Consult with the CWB’s board of directors; and Hold a clear, democratic vote among producers to determine whether they support the specific changes