On Oct. 27th, the Standing Committee on Agricriculture was hearing testimony. One of it's witnesses was Wendy Holm, Agrologist and Farm Writer. For the official hansard version of questions and presentations see : http://www.theholmteam.ca/CWB.html
To-day, it looks like the Advisory group for Minister Strahl has performed their appointed task... to deliver their 'expert' opinion on the Canadian Wheat Board's survival. They have handed him the poisoned dart he schemed to get. I have no words to describe a democratic process so blatant with it's intended role and a Minister that allowed it to be put together. The Government looks like it is going 'full steam ahead' no matter what. Remember that was the last action of the Titanic, too!
To get the latest malarkey from the trained seals see : Hansard Search Results
After the latest free for all, Alex Atamanenko, Member of Parliament for BC Southern Interior – NDP Agriculture Critic, issued this Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 2006
Task Force Report on the Future of the Canadian Wheat Board
“A Waste of Human Energy”
Ottawa, ON: Alex Atamanenko, Member of Parliament for BC Southern Interior – NDP Agriculture Critic, says the Harper team has wasted tax dollars on a hollow task force report which refuses to recognize the limited powers of a minority government to legally implement any of the recommendations they have put forward. “This report is an incredible waste of human energy which accomplishes little but adds considerable confusion to the whole issue of the future of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB)”, stated Atamanenko
“The Conservatives are well aware of the fact that without a majority they cannot deconstruct the Canadian Wheat Board through legislation without the support of Parliament. That’s why for some time now they have been employing a strategy designed to inject confusion and chaos into the daily lives of the CWB directors and the 85,000 farmers they are mandated to represent”, observed Atamanenko.
He pointed to a few of the government actions taken against the CWB to emphasize the lengths they have taken to act outside of their limited legislative means:
July 27 roundtable stacked with the anti-Wheat Board Corporate grain companies.
Creation of a severely unbalanced Task Force who are given only 4 weeks to create a whole new marketing strategy for the grain industry and provide a report
Imposing a change to the rules of a director election process half way through the election and making it very cumbersome for a third of the eligible farmers to vote.
Lying that the CWB supported this action when the facts show that the Minister of Agriculture was advised by the board to make any changes to the election rules or voters lists months before the election began.
Imposing a gag order on the CWB to prevent them from advocating on behalf of farmers and then timing the release of the anti-Wheat Board task force report to be released near the actual CWB director election time.
Firing an appointed Wheat Board director, Ross Keith, a single desk supporter a year before his appointment ends.
The task force report admits that there will be winners and losers as part of any adjustment to marketing choice. They make it clear that there are many competitors who will have an advantage over the CWB and there will be a significant risk of failure if they are not well prepared to enter into the new competitive environment.
“Why would any business, farming or otherwise, willingly give up a tried and true system which has been proven to have significant benefits in order to adopt a new system fraught with uncertainty”, questioned Atamanenko.
One aspect of the report stated that the success of the CWB would depend on producer support investing in 100 million shares valued at a $1 each. “Producers might be hesitant to buy $1 shares to invest in such an uncertain future”, noted Atamanenko. “I’m also concerned that the CWB will be just another grain company with no power to secure and maintain quality world markets”.
Absent in the report is any sign of an impact analysis on farmers throughout any of the four stages of the recommendations. “If there is an increase in rail rates to put them on par with the US, how will that affect the Port of Churchill and how many jobs will be lost”, questioned Atamanenko. “How will farmers fare when they find themselves at the mercy of the multi-nationals who set the prices?”
There is a question of whether a minority of aggressive free-enterprising individuals should be allowed to destroy a working system within which the majority of farmers benefit. “This is not the USA where the philosophy of “survival of the fittest” prevails. We have worked out a co-operative approach in Canada which has become a part of our national identity,” noted Atamanenko.
“Farmers today are suffering not because of collective marketing but because of an unfair advantage in the world market place due to foreign subsidies and support programs. Taking away the CWB will only put our farmers at a greater disadvantage.”
Another disturbing recommendation in the report is for the Government to immediately start a marketing campaign to promote the recommendations in this report.
“Nowhere in sight is the opportunity for 85,000 farmers to express their views through a plebiscite. Instead they will see the government spend tax dollars to advertise and promote the means to an end of 60 years of progressive marketing innovation under the Canadian Wheat Board whose only mandate is to work solely in the best interests of farmers.” stated Atamanenko.
- 30-
For more information please contact: Alex Atamanenko - (613) 996-8036
*********************
So first the government ties the hands of the Wheat Board by ordering them to only 'market' and then a recommendation comes forward that the "government" promote hostile recommendations? Perhaps it is time for some tough legal action by someone.-cg
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
The CWB Speaks......
The CWB is not going to roll over and play dead for the Conservatives. -cg
It's un-Canadian not to give farmers a say in wheat board's future: president
Michelle Macafee
Canadian Press
Friday, October 20, 2006
WINNIPEG (CP) - It would be un-Canadian for the federal government to quash the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly without first consulting farmers, board president Adrian Measner said Thursday.
In a pointed address to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Measner said any unilateral decision by the Conservatives would make a mockery of farmers' democratic rights.
"We're being told that government will proceed with the implementation of its election promise to create an open market for wheat and barley, regardless of what a majority of farmers think," said Measner.
"This is as wrong as it is un-Canadian."
He concluded his speech by saying the issue is about "democracy and the economic future of Western Canada and, in the final analysis, it's about being Canadian and doing what's right."
The board has been at loggerheads with the federal Conservatives ever since federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl appointed a task force last month to recommend ways to end the board's monopoly on wheat and barley exports.
Measner and other executives have said the Canadian Wheat Board Act requires a plebiscite before the monopolies are removed, and that a vote should have been held even before the task force set to work.
Strahl has said he wants to see the committee's recommendations before deciding whether to let farmers vote.
He and other Tories have said some changes can be made without a plebiscite and that the party has a mandate from voters because its intentions were clear in its election platform.
Measner said the government shouldn't mistake votes in last January's federal election for support for this particular platform plank.
"There was gun control, there was the performance of the previous government - there are just a whole bunch of other factors in an election," said Measner.
"I think it's unfair to say it (the federal election) was run on the CWB issue."
The board's monopoly has long divided Western Canadian farmers.
Supporters say the board - which is the marketing agent for 85,000 producers - is the best option in a fiercely competitive global grain industry.
But plenty of farmers oppose the board's monopoly, saying they want the right to try to get better prices on their own.
During an appearance on a Winnipeg radio call-in show, a caller named "Jim" challenged Measner and the wheat board .
"We know how to do business out here in the rural," Jim said.
"We don't need the elitist sort of control of an Adrian Measner telling us how to grow our grain and market it."
The debate over the future of the board is being watched closely by prominent international wheat customers.
Warburton's Bakery, the biggest bakery in the United Kingdom, has wheat board contracts with 750 Prairie farmers to produce about 250,000 tonnes of wheat a year.
Executive director Brett Warburton, who heard Measner's speech, said Warburton has been more than pleased with the service it gets from the board.
While the relationship has been challenging at times, he said the board's ability to meet its contracts - even in poor crop years - is invaluable.
"We're a bit nervous about any changes that would take place," said Warburton.
He said the company relies on Canada exclusively for its grain imports, and he fears having to look to other countries to fill its orders.
"If you lose a customer for one year it can be lost for a long time beyond that."
Measner said he's confident his speech did not violate a recent government ban that forbids the board from advocating in favour of its monopoly.
The order specifically bans the board from spending money on advertising, publishing or market research, but does not prevent individual farmers or executives from expressing their views.
In his speech, Measner also tried to rally support from the business audience by pointing out the board's net impact on the Manitoba economy was pegged at $210 million in 2004.
He said the loss of the board's single desk will leave Winnipeg and Manitoba with "another bunch of downtown vacancies and empty office towers to fill" due to consolidation in the grain industry.
© The Canadian Press 2006
It's un-Canadian not to give farmers a say in wheat board's future: president
Michelle Macafee
Canadian Press
Friday, October 20, 2006
WINNIPEG (CP) - It would be un-Canadian for the federal government to quash the Canadian Wheat Board's monopoly without first consulting farmers, board president Adrian Measner said Thursday.
In a pointed address to the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, Measner said any unilateral decision by the Conservatives would make a mockery of farmers' democratic rights.
"We're being told that government will proceed with the implementation of its election promise to create an open market for wheat and barley, regardless of what a majority of farmers think," said Measner.
"This is as wrong as it is un-Canadian."
He concluded his speech by saying the issue is about "democracy and the economic future of Western Canada and, in the final analysis, it's about being Canadian and doing what's right."
The board has been at loggerheads with the federal Conservatives ever since federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl appointed a task force last month to recommend ways to end the board's monopoly on wheat and barley exports.
Measner and other executives have said the Canadian Wheat Board Act requires a plebiscite before the monopolies are removed, and that a vote should have been held even before the task force set to work.
Strahl has said he wants to see the committee's recommendations before deciding whether to let farmers vote.
He and other Tories have said some changes can be made without a plebiscite and that the party has a mandate from voters because its intentions were clear in its election platform.
Measner said the government shouldn't mistake votes in last January's federal election for support for this particular platform plank.
"There was gun control, there was the performance of the previous government - there are just a whole bunch of other factors in an election," said Measner.
"I think it's unfair to say it (the federal election) was run on the CWB issue."
The board's monopoly has long divided Western Canadian farmers.
Supporters say the board - which is the marketing agent for 85,000 producers - is the best option in a fiercely competitive global grain industry.
But plenty of farmers oppose the board's monopoly, saying they want the right to try to get better prices on their own.
During an appearance on a Winnipeg radio call-in show, a caller named "Jim" challenged Measner and the wheat board .
"We know how to do business out here in the rural," Jim said.
"We don't need the elitist sort of control of an Adrian Measner telling us how to grow our grain and market it."
The debate over the future of the board is being watched closely by prominent international wheat customers.
Warburton's Bakery, the biggest bakery in the United Kingdom, has wheat board contracts with 750 Prairie farmers to produce about 250,000 tonnes of wheat a year.
Executive director Brett Warburton, who heard Measner's speech, said Warburton has been more than pleased with the service it gets from the board.
While the relationship has been challenging at times, he said the board's ability to meet its contracts - even in poor crop years - is invaluable.
"We're a bit nervous about any changes that would take place," said Warburton.
He said the company relies on Canada exclusively for its grain imports, and he fears having to look to other countries to fill its orders.
"If you lose a customer for one year it can be lost for a long time beyond that."
Measner said he's confident his speech did not violate a recent government ban that forbids the board from advocating in favour of its monopoly.
The order specifically bans the board from spending money on advertising, publishing or market research, but does not prevent individual farmers or executives from expressing their views.
In his speech, Measner also tried to rally support from the business audience by pointing out the board's net impact on the Manitoba economy was pegged at $210 million in 2004.
He said the loss of the board's single desk will leave Winnipeg and Manitoba with "another bunch of downtown vacancies and empty office towers to fill" due to consolidation in the grain industry.
© The Canadian Press 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Press Does It's Job.......
The press is now really beginning to pick up the debate on the future of the CWB. In the backyard of the current government , the accusations pile up.-cg
October 19, 2006
CALGARY HERALD
PAGE: D12 (CALGARY BUSINESS)
Opposition fights for wheat board
Tories accused of 'ideological madness'
CanWest News Service
Tory plans to make good on their Canadian Wheat Board election promise faced an all-party attack Wednesday as the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois ganged up on the Harper government in a bid to save the board's marketing monopoly.
For more than two hours in the Commons, an often passionate debate raged as the opposition pushed for a motion requiring the government to hold a plebiscite among Prairie farmers on the key change experts believe would essentially kill the Winnipeg-based marketer of wheat and barley.
"What will the Conservatives not do to destroy single desk selling under the Canadian Wheat Board?" asked Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter, who moved the motion.
"What will it not do to take power away from primary producers and give that power to the international grain trade? What will it not do to tear down a marketing institution that has become renowned around the world for how it maximizes returns back to primary producers?
What will the Conservative government not do in terms of catering to its American friends in the grain trade who have challenged the Canadian Wheat Board 11 times and have lost every time under international trade law?
"From its actions to date, it would appear that the government is prepared to use any device up to the very line of legality in an effort to undermine the Canadian Wheat Board" said New Democrat MP Pat Martin, whose Winnipeg Centre riding is home to the board's headquarters: "There is no business case for abolishing the Canadian Wheat Board -- it is pure ideological madness."
The debate over the future of the wheat board has been moving rapidly up the national agenda, fueled in part by a gag order the cabinet slapped on the board preventing it from defending its marketing monopoly. As well, the opposition has alleged the Tories are tampering in the election of its directors by striking 16,000 farmers from the voter list.
However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl continued to refuse to commit to a plebiscite before moving ahead on their campaign promise. "The government will do what farmers have always wanted, which is to have a range of marketing choices, including the wheat board," Harper said.
"We are never going to be afraid to consult western farmers because the last time we did it, like so many times when we had done it in this country, they did not return a single Liberal MP, and they never will."
Strahl said Easter's motion was "ridiculous" and shot back at Bloc agriculture critic Andre Bellavance's defence of the wheat board by painting him as a hypocrite.
"When is the honourable member for the Bloc going to bring in the motion to expand the wheat board to make sure that it covers Quebec? He will not do that. Do you know why?" Strahl asked. "It is because he does not want the wheat board. He does not want the wheat board to affect his business in his province."
October 19, 2006
CALGARY HERALD
PAGE: D12 (CALGARY BUSINESS)
Opposition fights for wheat board
Tories accused of 'ideological madness'
CanWest News Service
Tory plans to make good on their Canadian Wheat Board election promise faced an all-party attack Wednesday as the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois ganged up on the Harper government in a bid to save the board's marketing monopoly.
For more than two hours in the Commons, an often passionate debate raged as the opposition pushed for a motion requiring the government to hold a plebiscite among Prairie farmers on the key change experts believe would essentially kill the Winnipeg-based marketer of wheat and barley.
"What will the Conservatives not do to destroy single desk selling under the Canadian Wheat Board?" asked Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter, who moved the motion.
"What will it not do to take power away from primary producers and give that power to the international grain trade? What will it not do to tear down a marketing institution that has become renowned around the world for how it maximizes returns back to primary producers?
What will the Conservative government not do in terms of catering to its American friends in the grain trade who have challenged the Canadian Wheat Board 11 times and have lost every time under international trade law?
"From its actions to date, it would appear that the government is prepared to use any device up to the very line of legality in an effort to undermine the Canadian Wheat Board" said New Democrat MP Pat Martin, whose Winnipeg Centre riding is home to the board's headquarters: "There is no business case for abolishing the Canadian Wheat Board -- it is pure ideological madness."
The debate over the future of the wheat board has been moving rapidly up the national agenda, fueled in part by a gag order the cabinet slapped on the board preventing it from defending its marketing monopoly. As well, the opposition has alleged the Tories are tampering in the election of its directors by striking 16,000 farmers from the voter list.
However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl continued to refuse to commit to a plebiscite before moving ahead on their campaign promise. "The government will do what farmers have always wanted, which is to have a range of marketing choices, including the wheat board," Harper said.
"We are never going to be afraid to consult western farmers because the last time we did it, like so many times when we had done it in this country, they did not return a single Liberal MP, and they never will."
Strahl said Easter's motion was "ridiculous" and shot back at Bloc agriculture critic Andre Bellavance's defence of the wheat board by painting him as a hypocrite.
"When is the honourable member for the Bloc going to bring in the motion to expand the wheat board to make sure that it covers Quebec? He will not do that. Do you know why?" Strahl asked. "It is because he does not want the wheat board. He does not want the wheat board to affect his business in his province."
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Hansard Speaks....
This week the questions about the Wheat Board are piling up. MP's from all over Canada are hearing from their constituents. Of course we have the usual players ..... important defenders all. I am concerned though , my MP has NOT spoken. You can have a good long look, there are 7 pages at least and many for this week. Where is your MP?-cg
A juicy sampling :
House of Commons Debates
OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD)
Monday, October 16, 2006
(1925)
[Translation]
Hon. Robert Thibault (West Nova, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, my topic of discussion today is supply management.
On June 7, I questioned the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food with a view to ascertaining how he planned to protect the supply management system in Canada.
[English]
Last week, like colleagues, I was in my riding and had a chance to speak to a lot of people, in particular to poultry and dairy farmers who are concerned about supply management and how we will protect them going forward in the future. One of the interesting questions they asked me was about how we saw the government's position on the Wheat Board and how the government was reacting to the Wheat Board. This is very interesting. This is the barometer that the Atlantic supply management people are watching, because it shows them how the federal government is going to--if it will--protect supply management.
Dairy farmers, chicken farmers and egg producers in Atlantic Canada do not want to tell western wheat producers how they should market their wheat and whether they should have a single desk or multi-desk system. That is not their intention. What they are concerned about is how the government is dealing with the western wheat producers.
They want to know if the government is listening to the producers or if it is starting with the preconceived idea of what it is going to do. These farmers see this as their barometer of how supply management will be dealt with. They remember the terms of the leader of the Conservative Party in 1998, the current Prime Minister, the terms denouncing the supply management model as a “government sponsored, price fixing cartel”.
What these farmers would like to know with respect to the Wheat Board is whether the Prime Minister is going to let each farmer vote. Is he going to follow the laws of our country and give a free vote to each farmer, not weighted in accordance with protection but everybody with a permit book having one vote in a democratic system? We know there is 73% support for the Wheat Board across the western prairies. Is the Prime Minister going to test that?
*********************************************
To see all the recent and not so recent debates and comments, check out the following LINK:
Hansard Search Results
A juicy sampling :
House of Commons Debates
OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD)
Monday, October 16, 2006
(1925)
[Translation]
Hon. Robert Thibault (West Nova, Lib.):
Mr. Speaker, my topic of discussion today is supply management.
On June 7, I questioned the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food with a view to ascertaining how he planned to protect the supply management system in Canada.
[English]
Last week, like colleagues, I was in my riding and had a chance to speak to a lot of people, in particular to poultry and dairy farmers who are concerned about supply management and how we will protect them going forward in the future. One of the interesting questions they asked me was about how we saw the government's position on the Wheat Board and how the government was reacting to the Wheat Board. This is very interesting. This is the barometer that the Atlantic supply management people are watching, because it shows them how the federal government is going to--if it will--protect supply management.
Dairy farmers, chicken farmers and egg producers in Atlantic Canada do not want to tell western wheat producers how they should market their wheat and whether they should have a single desk or multi-desk system. That is not their intention. What they are concerned about is how the government is dealing with the western wheat producers.
They want to know if the government is listening to the producers or if it is starting with the preconceived idea of what it is going to do. These farmers see this as their barometer of how supply management will be dealt with. They remember the terms of the leader of the Conservative Party in 1998, the current Prime Minister, the terms denouncing the supply management model as a “government sponsored, price fixing cartel”.
What these farmers would like to know with respect to the Wheat Board is whether the Prime Minister is going to let each farmer vote. Is he going to follow the laws of our country and give a free vote to each farmer, not weighted in accordance with protection but everybody with a permit book having one vote in a democratic system? We know there is 73% support for the Wheat Board across the western prairies. Is the Prime Minister going to test that?
*********************************************
To see all the recent and not so recent debates and comments, check out the following LINK:
Hansard Search Results
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
The Government Muzzles Democracy
The latest move by this government is mind boggling. They claim it is just to clean up voters lists.... in your dreams! The Ministers' comments are full of inconsistencies. Read all about it in the following Globe & Mail Article as well as the latest comments surrounding this issues from Ms. Holm.-cg
Farmers removed from voting list
BILL CURRY 18/10/06 Globe and Mail
OTTAWA -- The Conservative government has removed 16,000 farmers from the Canadian Wheat Board voters list, fuelling accusations that the Tories are interfering with this fall's election.
The upcoming elections will have a significant impact on whether the Tories can deliver on a campaign pledge to end the Wheat Board's monopoly over wheat sales. Currently all wheat farmers must sell their crop to the board, which then sells it on their behalf.
The decision on voters comes on the heels of a government order described by the board chair and opposition as a "gag" on current board members.
The government issued an Order in Council last week that forbids the board from spending money to advocate "the retention of its monopoly powers."
In an interview, board chairman Ken Ritter expressed concern that the government has changed the voter list in the middle of the Sept. 7-Dec. 1 election campaign, but said the board neither supports nor opposes the change.
The advocacy ban, however, is "not the Canadian way of doing things," he said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended the decisions in the House of Commons.
"The directors of the Wheat Board have the ability to express any opinion they want," Mr. Harper insisted. "They are engaged right now in an electoral process and the Wheat Board has an absolute responsibility to respect the opinions of all western farmers, not just those who agree with it."
Supporters of the change to the board say it will allow farmers to shop for better prices. Critics say the current process works well and won't survive in an open market.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl said the voters list has been cleaned up to remove farmers who haven't used the board for the past two years. Those 16,000 farmers can still apply for a ballot if they have been growing wheat, he said.
"This is I think a pretty straightforward thing. Most farmers would say and most Canadians would say if you're going to have farmer elections to a Wheat Board, you don't have the potato farmers voting in it. And you don't have non-producers. You have people who are actually producing grain," Mr. Strahl said.
************************************************
Sender: Wendy Holm, P.Ag. holm@farmertofarmer.ca
Unprecedented moves this week by the Harper government to change the rules in the middle of the current election process for three CWB directors - dictating which farmers are eligible to vote and disqualifying 36 percent of producers from automatically receiving a ballot - may be tolerated in a tin pot dictatorship. It is not acceptable in Canada.
The below are now posted on my CWB web-page:
http://www.theholmteam.ca/CWB.html
1. Oct 17th response by CWB Director Art Macklin, DeBolt, Alberta to Harper government's interference in CWB election process.
2. Oct 12th article appearing in the Winnipeg Free Press : Not-so-benign dictator attacks wheat board.
to view, CLICK HERE AND FOLLOW THE LINKS
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. Send an email to your MP** telling him that the Harper Government's denial of the democratic rights of Western Canada's grain farmers is unacceptable and must be challenged in the House. Refer them to the web site http://www.theholmteam.ca/CWB.html for background information.
2. Copy it to MP Chuck Strahl at Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca
3. Copy it also to Stephen Harper at Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
Take the time to send an email. Please. On behalf of Canada's farmers, Canada's communities and Canada's future.
Wendy Holm, P.Ag.
** Don't know your MP's email? Get it at http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca
Farmers removed from voting list
BILL CURRY 18/10/06 Globe and Mail
OTTAWA -- The Conservative government has removed 16,000 farmers from the Canadian Wheat Board voters list, fuelling accusations that the Tories are interfering with this fall's election.
The upcoming elections will have a significant impact on whether the Tories can deliver on a campaign pledge to end the Wheat Board's monopoly over wheat sales. Currently all wheat farmers must sell their crop to the board, which then sells it on their behalf.
The decision on voters comes on the heels of a government order described by the board chair and opposition as a "gag" on current board members.
The government issued an Order in Council last week that forbids the board from spending money to advocate "the retention of its monopoly powers."
In an interview, board chairman Ken Ritter expressed concern that the government has changed the voter list in the middle of the Sept. 7-Dec. 1 election campaign, but said the board neither supports nor opposes the change.
The advocacy ban, however, is "not the Canadian way of doing things," he said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended the decisions in the House of Commons.
"The directors of the Wheat Board have the ability to express any opinion they want," Mr. Harper insisted. "They are engaged right now in an electoral process and the Wheat Board has an absolute responsibility to respect the opinions of all western farmers, not just those who agree with it."
Supporters of the change to the board say it will allow farmers to shop for better prices. Critics say the current process works well and won't survive in an open market.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl said the voters list has been cleaned up to remove farmers who haven't used the board for the past two years. Those 16,000 farmers can still apply for a ballot if they have been growing wheat, he said.
"This is I think a pretty straightforward thing. Most farmers would say and most Canadians would say if you're going to have farmer elections to a Wheat Board, you don't have the potato farmers voting in it. And you don't have non-producers. You have people who are actually producing grain," Mr. Strahl said.
************************************************
Sender: Wendy Holm, P.Ag. holm@farmertofarmer.ca
Unprecedented moves this week by the Harper government to change the rules in the middle of the current election process for three CWB directors - dictating which farmers are eligible to vote and disqualifying 36 percent of producers from automatically receiving a ballot - may be tolerated in a tin pot dictatorship. It is not acceptable in Canada.
The below are now posted on my CWB web-page:
http://www.theholmteam.ca/CWB.html
1. Oct 17th response by CWB Director Art Macklin, DeBolt, Alberta to Harper government's interference in CWB election process.
2. Oct 12th article appearing in the Winnipeg Free Press : Not-so-benign dictator attacks wheat board.
to view, CLICK HERE AND FOLLOW THE LINKS
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP:
1. Send an email to your MP** telling him that the Harper Government's denial of the democratic rights of Western Canada's grain farmers is unacceptable and must be challenged in the House. Refer them to the web site http://www.theholmteam.ca/CWB.html for background information.
2. Copy it to MP Chuck Strahl at Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca
3. Copy it also to Stephen Harper at Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
Take the time to send an email. Please. On behalf of Canada's farmers, Canada's communities and Canada's future.
Wendy Holm, P.Ag.
** Don't know your MP's email? Get it at http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca
Strike and Counter Strike...
I haven't had time to research the latest on the Canadian Wheat Board and last week's house activity....BUT .... I did see an interview last week from the CEO of the CWB on ....Report on Business! As well, early this week there were questions in the house about the latest government move against the CWB and her farmers, on CPAC. CPAC also interviewed the Minister after question period and that was certainly pointed on the part of the Minister. It is evident how they intened to play this issue from his comments. Words like 'monopoly, choice, freedom,' are peppered throughout.
The Minister also makes a point about the CWB's job is to market grains and they had better "market". Of course his point is that they have no business doing anything else (even if their farmers want them too)!
I will provide the links as soon as I am able to get them. - cg
The Minister also makes a point about the CWB's job is to market grains and they had better "market". Of course his point is that they have no business doing anything else (even if their farmers want them too)!
I will provide the links as soon as I am able to get them. - cg
Friday, October 13, 2006
The CWB Battle Hits Mainstream
Well.....it was bound to happen. The fact that the Globe & Mail, no matter how biased, has actually printed an article about the latest move of the government against the Wheat Board, means MP's are going to have to deal with the political fallout. For your edification........see below. You can find the original article at :
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061012.WHEATBOARD12/TPStory/National
and at : CWB Under Attack
Wheat Board ordered not to sow discontent
Cabinet directive bans organization from buying ads to argue against end to monopoly
Globe and Mail October 12, 2006
JOE FRIESEN
WINNIPEG -- The Conservative government has banned the Canadian Wheat Board from advocating its continued existence as the monopoly seller of Western Canadian wheat and barley, adding fuel to a growing political fire.
In a cabinet directive issued late last week, the government ordered the board not to directly or indirectly spend money on advertising, publishing or market research that would enable them to argue for the retention of the monopoly.
Ken Ritter, the Wheat Board's elected chair, yesterday called the move "unprecedented in law" and an unfair attack on freedom of speech. Opposition critics described it as "anti-democratic."
"I'd expect to see this in a tin-pot dictatorship, not in Canada," said federal Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter. "This is no longer a farm issue. What we're seeing is the fundamentals of a democracy being undermined."
The ban is the latest development in the battle over the Wheat Board's future. The Conservative government has promised to end the board's monopoly, but it's far from clear whether a majority of farmers supports that position and the government has refused to commit to a plebiscite on the issue.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl was in China yesterday but issued a statement through his office.
"The CWB reports to Parliament through me, and should not be attempting to undermine this government's policy objectives," Mr. Strahl said. "Farmers should be debating the future of the CWB, and I'm always interested in hearing from farmers. However, the CWB should use its resources and energy to market grain for farmers."
Adrian Measner, the Wheat Board's chief executive officer, said it's unfair to silence the organization at a crucial juncture in its history.
"It does create an unlevel playing field in the country, and I think that's the issue," Mr. Measner said. "We're being asked to be silent on our vision and our direction . . . while at the same time the government will be promoting their vision of opening up this marketplace."
He said the Wheat Board will respect the directive, but it will affect the organization's plans to communicate with farmers. Board members will still be able to speak their minds on the issue, but communications staff who discuss the possible impact of an end to the monopoly may risk repercussions.
The government made the order under a little-used section of the Canadian Wheat Board Act invoked only twice in recent memory, including once to forbid the sale of wheat to the Soviet Union after its invasion of Afghanistan. The Wheat Board is a quasi-governmental agency that is not funded by government but has billions of dollars in loans guaranteed by the federal treasury.
David Anderson, the parliamentary secretary to the Agriculture Minister, said farmers have told him they're opposed to the Wheat Board using their money to advocate a position they disagree with.
"We're serious about giving farmers a choice," Mr. Anderson said. "The directive is to have [the board] move to a neutral position on the issue and the farmers will have the discussion, organizations will have the discussion."
NDP MP Pat Martin accused the government of acting like fascists, and said they were abusing their power to silence their enemies.
"I think this is absolutely unprecedented in Canadian history," Mr. Martin said. "This is an issue of constitutional proportions. . . . To silence your opposition is so jack-booted, so heavy-handed. Canadians won't tolerate it."
A seven-member task force is to present its recommendations on how to create an open market for wheat and barley at some point in the next few weeks.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061012.WHEATBOARD12/TPStory/National
and at : CWB Under Attack
Wheat Board ordered not to sow discontent
Cabinet directive bans organization from buying ads to argue against end to monopoly
Globe and Mail October 12, 2006
JOE FRIESEN
WINNIPEG -- The Conservative government has banned the Canadian Wheat Board from advocating its continued existence as the monopoly seller of Western Canadian wheat and barley, adding fuel to a growing political fire.
In a cabinet directive issued late last week, the government ordered the board not to directly or indirectly spend money on advertising, publishing or market research that would enable them to argue for the retention of the monopoly.
Ken Ritter, the Wheat Board's elected chair, yesterday called the move "unprecedented in law" and an unfair attack on freedom of speech. Opposition critics described it as "anti-democratic."
"I'd expect to see this in a tin-pot dictatorship, not in Canada," said federal Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter. "This is no longer a farm issue. What we're seeing is the fundamentals of a democracy being undermined."
The ban is the latest development in the battle over the Wheat Board's future. The Conservative government has promised to end the board's monopoly, but it's far from clear whether a majority of farmers supports that position and the government has refused to commit to a plebiscite on the issue.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl was in China yesterday but issued a statement through his office.
"The CWB reports to Parliament through me, and should not be attempting to undermine this government's policy objectives," Mr. Strahl said. "Farmers should be debating the future of the CWB, and I'm always interested in hearing from farmers. However, the CWB should use its resources and energy to market grain for farmers."
Adrian Measner, the Wheat Board's chief executive officer, said it's unfair to silence the organization at a crucial juncture in its history.
"It does create an unlevel playing field in the country, and I think that's the issue," Mr. Measner said. "We're being asked to be silent on our vision and our direction . . . while at the same time the government will be promoting their vision of opening up this marketplace."
He said the Wheat Board will respect the directive, but it will affect the organization's plans to communicate with farmers. Board members will still be able to speak their minds on the issue, but communications staff who discuss the possible impact of an end to the monopoly may risk repercussions.
The government made the order under a little-used section of the Canadian Wheat Board Act invoked only twice in recent memory, including once to forbid the sale of wheat to the Soviet Union after its invasion of Afghanistan. The Wheat Board is a quasi-governmental agency that is not funded by government but has billions of dollars in loans guaranteed by the federal treasury.
David Anderson, the parliamentary secretary to the Agriculture Minister, said farmers have told him they're opposed to the Wheat Board using their money to advocate a position they disagree with.
"We're serious about giving farmers a choice," Mr. Anderson said. "The directive is to have [the board] move to a neutral position on the issue and the farmers will have the discussion, organizations will have the discussion."
NDP MP Pat Martin accused the government of acting like fascists, and said they were abusing their power to silence their enemies.
"I think this is absolutely unprecedented in Canadian history," Mr. Martin said. "This is an issue of constitutional proportions. . . . To silence your opposition is so jack-booted, so heavy-handed. Canadians won't tolerate it."
A seven-member task force is to present its recommendations on how to create an open market for wheat and barley at some point in the next few weeks.
An Abuse of Power
I am appallled by this latest move on the part of our government re the Canadian Wheat Board. Please read the following 'press release'.- cg
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2006
NDP Alex Atamanenko Calls on the Prime Minister to repeal his Agriculture Minister’s Gag Order to Stifle the Canadian Wheat Board
Castlegar, BC: Alex Atamanenko, MP, BC Southern Interior, NDP Agriculture critic, says he is stunned by the recent gag order which has just been delivered to the Canadian Wheat Board by the Conservative government and is calling on the Prime Minister to repeal it.
“It is inconceivable that democracy can in any way be served by such a blatant abuse of ministerial power,” stated Atamanenko. “By imposing these types of restrictions it makes you wonder what the government’s real agenda is and why they so desperately need to hog-tie the Wheat Board in such a way”
The Minister of Agriculture, Chuck Strahl, requested that an Order in Council be issued to the CWB with the following directives for the conduct of its operations:
a) it shall not expend funds, directly or indirectly on advocating the retention of its monopoly powers, including the expenditure of funds for advertising, publishing or market research and
b) it shall not provide funds to any other person or entity to enable them to advocate the retention of the monopoly powers of the CWB.
“Stephen Harper, as past President of the National Citizens Coalition, before he was Prime Minister, spoke against the use of gag laws, calling them unconstitutional. Those of you who have heard him speak regarding this issue should be wondering why he now condones it as an acceptable tool to promote his government’s hidden agenda,” noted Atamanenko.
This current gag order is not the only front in the government’s war against the Wheat Board. On October 30, Bill C-300 - “An Act to Amend the Canadian Wheat Board” will be the next skirmish in this epic battle. “I am calling on all members of the Liberal Party, the Bloq Quebecois, and those of conscience within the Conservative Party, to unite in opposition when it comes before the House at the end of the month,” petitioned Atamanenko.
“In light of the fact that the Board has been silenced, I would urge all supporters from across the country to e-mail, telephone or write to the Agriculture Minister or to their Member of Parliament, and let them know what you think of the tactics they’ve employed so far in their attempt to destroy farmers marketing advantage. The postage is free,” Atamanenko concluded.
- 30-
For more information please contact Alex Atamanenko’s office at 1-800-667-2393 or 365-2793.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 13, 2006
NDP Alex Atamanenko Calls on the Prime Minister to repeal his Agriculture Minister’s Gag Order to Stifle the Canadian Wheat Board
Castlegar, BC: Alex Atamanenko, MP, BC Southern Interior, NDP Agriculture critic, says he is stunned by the recent gag order which has just been delivered to the Canadian Wheat Board by the Conservative government and is calling on the Prime Minister to repeal it.
“It is inconceivable that democracy can in any way be served by such a blatant abuse of ministerial power,” stated Atamanenko. “By imposing these types of restrictions it makes you wonder what the government’s real agenda is and why they so desperately need to hog-tie the Wheat Board in such a way”
The Minister of Agriculture, Chuck Strahl, requested that an Order in Council be issued to the CWB with the following directives for the conduct of its operations:
a) it shall not expend funds, directly or indirectly on advocating the retention of its monopoly powers, including the expenditure of funds for advertising, publishing or market research and
b) it shall not provide funds to any other person or entity to enable them to advocate the retention of the monopoly powers of the CWB.
“Stephen Harper, as past President of the National Citizens Coalition, before he was Prime Minister, spoke against the use of gag laws, calling them unconstitutional. Those of you who have heard him speak regarding this issue should be wondering why he now condones it as an acceptable tool to promote his government’s hidden agenda,” noted Atamanenko.
This current gag order is not the only front in the government’s war against the Wheat Board. On October 30, Bill C-300 - “An Act to Amend the Canadian Wheat Board” will be the next skirmish in this epic battle. “I am calling on all members of the Liberal Party, the Bloq Quebecois, and those of conscience within the Conservative Party, to unite in opposition when it comes before the House at the end of the month,” petitioned Atamanenko.
“In light of the fact that the Board has been silenced, I would urge all supporters from across the country to e-mail, telephone or write to the Agriculture Minister or to their Member of Parliament, and let them know what you think of the tactics they’ve employed so far in their attempt to destroy farmers marketing advantage. The postage is free,” Atamanenko concluded.
- 30-
For more information please contact Alex Atamanenko’s office at 1-800-667-2393 or 365-2793.
Message To My Readers-Again
The first days of what looks distressingly like an early winter are here!! Like everyone else I have much to do outdoors BEFORE it gets much colder. However, with a long winter apparently facing most of us, it is time for me to re-post a topic I believe is important to this Blog. -cg
*********************************
Message To My Readers
The purpose of this blog was to 'rant' , expose political issues affecting supply management, provoke ideas, post relevant articles and editorials for all to see AND think about , to bring a slightly different perspective about consumers to light and provoke comment.
Either you agree or disagree with the content of the posts. I urge those of you with "opinions", for or against or different, to send comments to this page. Comments can be made by name or nick name or initials under the 'citygirl' tag. E-mails are then NOT made available to me or anyone else!
Any blog is only as good as it's content and readers comments are needed to make improvements, provoke discussion and task the author with re-thinking direction. Other readers have access to these comments and these can vastly expand any debate. This blog is my communication tool with you and anyone who is directed to this blog. Your comments can be a means of communicating between me and all other readers as well.
Except for the surprising lack of comments after 46 postings, readership IS doing well. I have access to a stats page that tells me how many visitors I get by the day, the week the month and a final total to date. Since the inception of 'Dairiblawg', it has had 834 visitors who have implemented 1029 page views! I thank you all.
I am sure that there are many additional ideas, issues and elements out there, that have not been addressed simply because you have not shared those with us all. I hope I will hear from you!! -cg
Note: I tested out the e-mail system and postings for anonymous users should be posted under 'citygirl'. You can use fictitious e-mail addresses if you wish. Newest stats - 55 posts, 901 visitors viewed 1364 pages - cg
*********************************
Message To My Readers
The purpose of this blog was to 'rant' , expose political issues affecting supply management, provoke ideas, post relevant articles and editorials for all to see AND think about , to bring a slightly different perspective about consumers to light and provoke comment.
Either you agree or disagree with the content of the posts. I urge those of you with "opinions", for or against or different, to send comments to this page. Comments can be made by name or nick name or initials under the 'citygirl' tag. E-mails are then NOT made available to me or anyone else!
Any blog is only as good as it's content and readers comments are needed to make improvements, provoke discussion and task the author with re-thinking direction. Other readers have access to these comments and these can vastly expand any debate. This blog is my communication tool with you and anyone who is directed to this blog. Your comments can be a means of communicating between me and all other readers as well.
Except for the surprising lack of comments after 46 postings, readership IS doing well. I have access to a stats page that tells me how many visitors I get by the day, the week the month and a final total to date. Since the inception of 'Dairiblawg', it has had 834 visitors who have implemented 1029 page views! I thank you all.
I am sure that there are many additional ideas, issues and elements out there, that have not been addressed simply because you have not shared those with us all. I hope I will hear from you!! -cg
Note: I tested out the e-mail system and postings for anonymous users should be posted under 'citygirl'. You can use fictitious e-mail addresses if you wish. Newest stats - 55 posts, 901 visitors viewed 1364 pages - cg
Saturday, October 7, 2006
Canadian Farmers Fight Back!
It looks like in spite of comments from Minister Strahl like..."We said we would appoint a task force to give us some of the details on the marketing choice. But I always find it a little passing strange when my critic from the NDP or my critic from the Liberals who do not have to live under the Wheat Board, tell the rest of Canada how they have to market their products." (Question Period-Oct. 5, 2006) (emphasis mine-cg), there are a lot of farmers who also live "under the wheat board" who do not agree with the Minister.
I find his comments extremely telling and obviously, so do the farmers who are launching the initiative below.-cg
Sender: Wendy Holm, P.Ag. holm@farmertofarmer.ca
Western Canadian grain growers have formed an organization called REAL VOICE FOR CHOICE.
It's purpose is to defend farmers rights to continue to make decisions concerning the marketing of wheat and barley in Western Canada. There are co-chairs in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, They will be taking steps over the next several weeks to assert the rights of farmers to retain single desk selling per the Canadian Wheat Board Act.
I urge you to have a look at their material, which is posted at my CWB Under Attack
web page: http://www.theholmteam.ca/CWB.html
Wendy
I find his comments extremely telling and obviously, so do the farmers who are launching the initiative below.-cg
Sender: Wendy Holm, P.Ag. holm@farmertofarmer.ca
Western Canadian grain growers have formed an organization called REAL VOICE FOR CHOICE.
It's purpose is to defend farmers rights to continue to make decisions concerning the marketing of wheat and barley in Western Canada. There are co-chairs in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, They will be taking steps over the next several weeks to assert the rights of farmers to retain single desk selling per the Canadian Wheat Board Act.
I urge you to have a look at their material, which is posted at my CWB Under Attack
web page: http://www.theholmteam.ca/CWB.html
Wendy
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