And the Real Issue Is?

Ms. Holm's removal from the Western Producer has touched off a spate of activity on discussion lists in the east. Her material is posted complete with her unpublished last column and her response to the Western Producer comments. This resulted in several interesting 'takes' on what was going on.

A sampling:

''in Senate testimony, the US Department of Agriculture argued that the special privileges of single-desk sellers gave "unfair advantages" to CWB farmers, adding that American grain should be able to freely compete with Canadian grain for Canadian rail shipments.''

that's what it's all about..... the CWB controls the movement of grains on the railroad. FTAA is about open roads and open markets.

we are headed towards a new North American community and the CWB must die because with the board the Canadian farmer control transportation on the rail.

Chief Justice Osgoode was concerned about control of transportation of agricultural products. Whomever controlled transportation, controlled the price of the commodity.....this in the early 1790's. Not much has changed.

Fighting over the rights to control grains on the railroad is only half the equation and I have yet to hear the other half.

If Bill Gates (largest stakeholder of CN) and Mr. James Snow ( former Sec. of the U.S. Treasury [retired jul 3/06] and CEO of CSXT) gain control of our rails..... the canadian consumer will bow to their schedule of produce delivery and at their price... not the schedule that is now in trust with our democratically elected and appointed members of our country.

so sad that we are not being allowed to be engaged in the discussion..... Wendy's right ... our democratic rights are at stake.


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Wendy, I appreciate your dedication to agricultural issues however I would suggest it is a 'red herring' and irresponsible to suggest that the loss of monopoly power of the CWB is simply playing into the hands of MTN's, US or otherwise.

The CWB has been the single biggest impediment to Prairie agricultural diversification in the past 15 years, wx notwithstanding. If the CWB's own rhetoric is true it should have NO problem competing and, in fact, already has a tremendous inherent advantage internationally. Our experience in Ontario has been very positive since dual marketing arrived..for all concerned. You can continue to dwell in the past or else embrace the future.

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Reply from Wendy Holm, P.Ag.

my one and only further comment:


Actually, it is about due process. The government of Canada, in announcing it is taking
steps - with legislation and regulation - to removing the one-desk selling authority of the Canadian Wheat Board, with or without the concurrence of the Board and a supporting vote by its members - is announcing its intent to commit an illegal act.

The cwb equalizes market power for grain growers in western canada and every respected farm economist in canada has acknowledged that it is good for farmers.





It is up to the producers to decide. Surely you respect due process? If gov't can do this to grain, they can easily do it to SM commodities.

Surely you believe commodity groups have the right to expect government to respect the legislation under which they act? (emphasis is mine-cg)


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I absolutely agree with Ms. Holm. This IS a watershed moment in the annals of farm organizations in this country. If the farmers of Canada, including supply managed groups, let this happen without a fight.... they deserve what they get. (Remember this is what happened to British supply management!) I hope they are preparing for a major battle on this one. If for no other reason than to save themselves.