Cigi being wooed to move to Saskatoon

Fears that scrapping the monopoly-powered wheat board could undermine Winnipeg’s grain sector hegemony were bolstered with news Saskatoon wants Cigi (Canadian International Grains Institute) to move there. The offer came Nov. 29 during a meeting with Saskatoon economic development group representatives, Rex Newkirk, Cigi’s director of research and business development said in an interview March

Lies, damned lies… and statistics

Last week began with the latest Canadian farm income outlook delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a report that by most accounts was pretty bullish on farm income projections for the next 10 years or so. In fact, it was the kind of report that is likely to have the farming community squirming for a


Second suit seeks damages from monopoly’s end

A second group will seek to bring a class-action lawsuit against the federal government to win compensation for farmers over the end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s grain-marketing monopoly. The group, called Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board, will file its claim seeking compensation for the CWB’s physical assets, such as rail cars, as well

Legal fights over CWB’s future not going away

According to Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, it’s all over but the crying for supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk. “It’s a done deal, folks,’’ Ritz told delegates at the Western Canadian Wheat Growers convention in Moose Jaw recently, referring to the legislation to eliminate the CWB’s monopoly over wheat and barley exports Aug.


Experts say Canada falling behind in crop research and development

Getting the federal government to fully restore funding for agriculture research remains a top priority for Canadian farm groups, says Richard Phillips, executive director of the Grain Growers of Canada. With federal spending cuts looming, farm groups want the Harper government to consider plowing royalties from existing crop varieties developed by Agriculture Canada scientists into

Letters – for Nov. 17, 2011

We welcome readers comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator.In most cases we cannot accept open letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications. Letters are subject to editing for length or taste. We suggest a maximum of about 300 words. Please forward letters to ManitobaCo-operator, 1666DublinAve.,Winnipeg,


Conservatives Racing To Dec. 5 On CWB Bill

Few noticed the irony as the Conservatives used their majority to shove its legislation to end the Canadian Wheat Board s marketing monopoly through a special Commons committee in three evenings. The committee met Nov. 1-3 in an ornate chamber, once known as the Reading Room, across the Hall of Honour from the Railway Committee

Apples And Oranges Add Up To Bananas

We ve observed over time that it s become increasingly difficult for civil servants to maintain that blurry distinction between policy and politics. But there can be no question that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has crossed the line with its marketing freedom website. It was undoubtedly pushed, but the result is the same. There can


Ottawa Backs Push To Increase Exports Of Organic Foods

STAFF / The federal government is spending $195,000 to promote Canadian organic products abroad. The money will go to the Canada Organic Trade Association to enhance the industry s competitiveness in global markets, said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. Canada s organic farmers produce some of the world s most wholesome and healthy food, and are

Letters – for Oct. 20, 2011

We welcome readers comments on issues that have been covered in the Manitoba Co-operator.In most cases we cannot accept open letters or copies of letters which have been sent to several publications. Letters are subject to editing for length or taste. We suggest a maximum of about 300 words. Please forward letters to ManitobaCo-operator, 1666DublinAve.,Winnipeg,