FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 19, 2006
FIRING OF CWB PRESIDENT LATEST ANTI-DEMOCRATIC ACT BY HARPER GOVERNMENT
The firing of Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) President and CEO Adrian Measner, whose record at the helm of the $4 billion farmer's marketing agency has been exemplary , is the latest in a string of anti-democratic actions by the Harper Conservatives, says National Farmers Union (NFU) President Stewart Wells.
"For the first time in my life I am genuinely concerned about the future of this country," stated Wells. "Watching the Harper Conservatives engage in what amounts to a reign of terror against the CWB has shattered my notion of Canada as a safe country that is based on democracy."
Wells characterized the firing of Mr. Measner as "a vicious and savage act' that has already hurt Canada's international reputation. Letters of concern have recently been pouring in to the CWB office from such major companies as COFCO (China's largest grain purchaser), Warburton's (Europe's largest single end-user of western Canadian wheat), Grupo Altex (Mexico's largest wheat milling group, and Canada Malting (Canada's largest barley maltster). The market turbulence generated in the wake of the government's attack on the CWB has undermined years of market development efforts.
"Mr. Measner is a friend of the farmer and a true Canadian hero for not knuckling under to the ideological lunacy coming from the Harper Conservatives," stated Wells.
The Harper Conservatives engaged in election tampering during the CWB Director elections; purged CWB Directors who supported the single desk and replaced them with appointees who will toe the party line; and imposed gag orders on the CWB. "This is the same government that claims it will bring 'democracy' to the Senate," said Wells. "Canadians who understand what true democracy is will see through this Jekyll and Hyde routine."
Wells concluded that if they truly believed in democracy, Conservative MPs would follow the lead of Manitoba MP Inky Mark, who is honestly representing his constituents by supporting the CWB single desk.
He pointed out that David Anderson, MP for Cypress Hills Grasslands, represents a constituency whose boundaries closely align with the boundaries of the CWB District in which incumbent CWB Director Larry Hill , a supporter of the single-desk - won by a landslide majority.
- 30
Contact: Stewart Wells, NFU President (306) 741-7694
Terry Pugh, NFU Executive-Secretary (306) 652-9465
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Another viewpoint......
December 19, 2006
Canadian Wheat Board boss axed
By STEVE LAMBERT
Adrian Measner. (CP/Tom Hanson)
ST. FRANCOIS XAVIER, Man. (CP) - The federal government moved a step closer to ending the Canadian Wheat Board's marketing monopoly Tuesday by firing board president Adrian Measner, who had spoken out against the plan.
"We issued the letter to him, just saying that his position . . . was no longer his, that thanked him for his service," Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl said after making the announcement at a farm west of Winnipeg. "It's time to make a change."
The Conservatives are following through on an election promise to give western farmers greater freedom to choose whether to sell their wheat and barley through the board or independently, he said.
Strahl appointed Greg Arason, a former board president, to fill the vacancy on an interim basis.
He said Arason supports the government's position and will focus on "selling grain for farmers, not engaging in political activity".
Measner said Strahl never spoke with him directly about his firing.
"It isn't a very professional way to operate, but it is the method of operation that the minister has chosen," he said from his home near Winnipeg.
Measner said Arason will have to choose between listening to the board of directors, most of whom oppose the government's plan, or to listen to Strahl. "It's a no-win situation. I guess that's what I've been through."
Supporters of the board say scrapping the monopoly would effectively kill the farmer-run organization and result in lower prices.
"Mr. Strahl's approach to things has been to ignore . . . the wishes of farmers," said Bill Toews, one of the wheat board's elected directors.
Carl Siemens, who grows grains and oilseeds near Rush Lake, Sask., said Tuesday's announcement could cost the Conservatives votes in the next election.
"Although a goodly number of (farmers) actually voted for the Conservative government in the last federal election, they did so with no knowledge that this government was going to move in this fashion to remove the Canadian Wheat Board," he said.
"Although a goodly number of (farmers) actually voted for the Conservative government in the last federal election, they did so with no knowledge that this government was going to move in this fashion to remove the Canadian Wheat Board," he said.
But other farmers have been waiting a long time for what they see as a competitive alternative.
They say producers can get better prices if they're allowed to choose how they sell what they grow.
"If the Canadian Wheat Board is the best marketing agency in the world, they can prove it by competing for the farmers' grain," said Charlie Anderson, who farms in northeastern Saskatchewan.
Liberal agriculture critic Wayne Easter called the firing undemocratic and an act of intimidation.
The board, backed by the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments, the federal Liberals and NDP and several farm groups, says the Canadian Wheat Board Act requires the government to hold a plebiscite before taking any steps to remove the monopoly.
Strahl, who has the support of the Alberta government and some farm groups, has said he'll hold a non-binding plebiscite on barley this winter, but hasn't committed to a date for a similar vote for wheat.
After Measner spoke out against the government plan in November, Strahl sent him a tersely worded letter giving him 14 days to change his stance or face dismissal.
Measner further irritated Strahl last week when the CEO stood beside Stephane Dion as the new Liberal leader made a campaign-style promise to support the wheat board.
Strahl has not had an easy time selling his new vision of the wheat board to Prairie farmers. Earlier this month, individuals who support the monopoly won four of five district elections for the CWB's board of directors.
Alberta Agriculture Minister George Groeneveld suggested that limits what Strahl can do in the way of reform. But he added he wasn't surprised that Measner was dumped.
"I think that Mr. Strahl was forced into that position," Groeneveld said in Edmonton. "When you start opposing the minister that's in charge of the show, your shelf life is probably quite limited."
Groeneveld's Manitoba counterpart, Rosann Wowchuk, said Strahl should not make any changes without allowing farmers to vote on them.
"I'm disappointed in him that he has so little respect for the producers and is prepared to subvert democracy so he gets his own agenda forward," she said.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.
Measner, who was raised on a farm in Holdfast, Sask., has worked for the board since 1974, including nine years in charge of grain marketing and transportation. He became its second president and chief executive officer in January 2003.
What's Wrong with This Picture?
Strahl fires president of Canadian Wheat Board
CTV.ca
News Staff Updated: Tue. Dec. 19 2006 3:43 PM ET
The federal agriculture minister has fired Adrian Measner, president of the embattled Canadian Wheat Board.
Officials with the board say Chuck Strahl gave Measner a termination notice today.
Strahl made his announcement at a staged rally west of Winnipeg. Farmers who oppose the wheat board's current monopoly on wheat and barley sales surrounded him.
He appointed Greg Arason, a former wheat board president, as interim president. Arason supports the government's plan to end the board's monopoly. "Arason will focus on selling grain, not engaging in political action," Strahl said.
In late November, Strahl sent Measner a fax saying he was considering terminating him.
Ken Ritter, chairman of the farmer-run organization, said the letter amounted to two week's notice. The board sent Strahl a fax imploring him not to fire Measner.
The Conservative government wants to end the board's monopoly over the sale of western wheat and barley -- a promise made in their 2006 election platform. Their plan would allow farmers to sell either to the board or independently.
Critics of the plan say ending the board's monopoly would effectively cripple the organization and result in lower prices for most farmers.
Measner had been one critic of the plan. He said the government should hold a plebiscite among farmers before proceeding with ending the board's monopoly.
Strahl has promised a non-binding plebiscite on barley this winter, but hasn't committed yet to a similar vote for wheat.
Federally, the NDP and Liberals both support the board. Measner stood beside Stephane Dion when the new Liberal leader promised to restore the board's monopoly if elected.
The NDP provincial governments in Saskatchewan and Manitoba support the status quo.
Alberta's Conservative government would like to see changes. Groups like the Western Canadian Wheat Growers and Western Canadian Barley Growers have always supported ending the board's monopoly.
In recent board elections, the ratio of board members favouring the status quo versus those who want to end the monopoly was maintained.
"You either have single-desk selling or you have don't have a CWB and they have presented no evidence that would counter that contention," said Mark Wartman, Saskatchewan's agriculture minister, the wake of the vote. "Clearly, the majority of farmers are not buying that nonsense about dual-marketing."
Strahl begged to differ.
"Other people would counter that in the federal election, 85 per cent of the MPs elected in wheat board country were Conservative,'' he said on Dec. 11. "And Conservatives campaigned openly and aggressively on moving to marketing choice. "People make decisions for all kinds of reasons, but the input that's going to be most valuable as far as changes to the board goes is going to be the plebiscite."
Strahl came under fire earlier this fall for striking the names of some farmers off the voting list for such a plebiscite.
The board was established by the federal government in 1935 to help give prairie farmers more marketing clout. An elected 15-member board administers it on behalf of more than 85,000 farmers.
The CWB is the world's largest wheat and barley marketer, controlling more than 20 per cent of the global market.
The board sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all sales revenue to farmers, less marketing costs.
However, proponents of change say that in an era in which market pricing information is instantly available via the Internet, farmers could earn better returns by marketing their own grain.
With files from The Canadian Press
© Copyright 2006 CTV Inc.
CTV.ca
News Staff Updated: Tue. Dec. 19 2006 3:43 PM ET
The federal agriculture minister has fired Adrian Measner, president of the embattled Canadian Wheat Board.
Officials with the board say Chuck Strahl gave Measner a termination notice today.
Strahl made his announcement at a staged rally west of Winnipeg. Farmers who oppose the wheat board's current monopoly on wheat and barley sales surrounded him.
He appointed Greg Arason, a former wheat board president, as interim president. Arason supports the government's plan to end the board's monopoly. "Arason will focus on selling grain, not engaging in political action," Strahl said.
In late November, Strahl sent Measner a fax saying he was considering terminating him.
Ken Ritter, chairman of the farmer-run organization, said the letter amounted to two week's notice. The board sent Strahl a fax imploring him not to fire Measner.
The Conservative government wants to end the board's monopoly over the sale of western wheat and barley -- a promise made in their 2006 election platform. Their plan would allow farmers to sell either to the board or independently.
Critics of the plan say ending the board's monopoly would effectively cripple the organization and result in lower prices for most farmers.
Measner had been one critic of the plan. He said the government should hold a plebiscite among farmers before proceeding with ending the board's monopoly.
Strahl has promised a non-binding plebiscite on barley this winter, but hasn't committed yet to a similar vote for wheat.
Federally, the NDP and Liberals both support the board. Measner stood beside Stephane Dion when the new Liberal leader promised to restore the board's monopoly if elected.
The NDP provincial governments in Saskatchewan and Manitoba support the status quo.
Alberta's Conservative government would like to see changes. Groups like the Western Canadian Wheat Growers and Western Canadian Barley Growers have always supported ending the board's monopoly.
In recent board elections, the ratio of board members favouring the status quo versus those who want to end the monopoly was maintained.
"You either have single-desk selling or you have don't have a CWB and they have presented no evidence that would counter that contention," said Mark Wartman, Saskatchewan's agriculture minister, the wake of the vote. "Clearly, the majority of farmers are not buying that nonsense about dual-marketing."
Strahl begged to differ.
"Other people would counter that in the federal election, 85 per cent of the MPs elected in wheat board country were Conservative,'' he said on Dec. 11. "And Conservatives campaigned openly and aggressively on moving to marketing choice. "People make decisions for all kinds of reasons, but the input that's going to be most valuable as far as changes to the board goes is going to be the plebiscite."
Strahl came under fire earlier this fall for striking the names of some farmers off the voting list for such a plebiscite.
The board was established by the federal government in 1935 to help give prairie farmers more marketing clout. An elected 15-member board administers it on behalf of more than 85,000 farmers.
The CWB is the world's largest wheat and barley marketer, controlling more than 20 per cent of the global market.
The board sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all sales revenue to farmers, less marketing costs.
However, proponents of change say that in an era in which market pricing information is instantly available via the Internet, farmers could earn better returns by marketing their own grain.
With files from The Canadian Press
© Copyright 2006 CTV Inc.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
The First Cracks?
The actions of the new Conservative Government will NOT be without consequences. I think this article pretty well says it all.-CG
Prairie growers gather in Winnipeg in last-ditch show of support for CEO
JOE FRIESEN 15/12/06 Globe and Mail
WINNIPEG -- Hundreds of prairie farmers travelled to the heart of the Canadian grain trade yesterday to demand that a $300,000 a year CEO be allowed to keep his job.
The wheat producers, carrying placards rather than pitchforks, staged a last-ditch protest aimed at saving the job of Canadian Wheat Board boss Adrian Measner.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl told Mr. Measner two weeks ago he was considering firing him for refusing to back Ottawa's plan to dismantle the board's monopoly on grain sales.
As the crowd chanted his name, the quiet, unassuming CEO from Holdfast, Sask., climbed onto the back of a pickup truck and looked out over signs that said "CWB -- Our board, our business" and "Strahl -- Keep your hands off our CWB."
Mr. Measner, his eyes looking tired and his voice at times choked with emotion, vowed to stay in his job as long as possible.
But moments before he emerged from the board's Main Street head office, he faxed a four-page letter to Mr. Strahl that will almost certainly seal his fate. In the letter, Mr. Measner said he cannot support the direction the Conservative government has taken.
"Based on my 32 years of experience, and based on the direction given to me by the farmer-elected board of directors, I will continue to support the single desk [model of selling]," his letter says. He asked Mr. Strahl to stop meddling with an organization that he believes should be at arms-length from government, run by farmers, for farmers.
In an interview in his office yesterday morning, Mr. Measner outlined his thoughts as he faced what could well be his last day on the job.
"This isn't how I wanted to end my career," he said. "It's a bit hard to understand, because I'm caught in the middle of an issue that I personally can't resolve. "I will continue to work for the farmer-elected board. There's no option in my mind."
He arrived at the board as a computer programmer fresh out of the University of Saskatchewan and rose through the ranks to eventually run the $4-billion-a-year organization. His staff holds him in high regard for his honest, straightforward style.
But he is clearly uncomfortable in the spotlight, and sought yesterday to deflect attention from his imminent dismissal. "I don't want us to get sidetracked on me; I want us to focus on who's in charge of this organization and who should be charting its future.
"I think farmers need to stand up and say, 'No. This is our organization, and you're not taking it.' "
Mr. Measner said Ottawa is trying to impose its will on Western Canadian farmers by refusing to follow the rules that require a plebiscite before any change to the monopoly.
Mr. Strahl has promised to hold a vote on the barley monopoly, but has not said whether he will do the same for wheat.
The Conservatives campaigned on a platform of marketing choice in the last election and swept nearly every seat on the Prairies.
Mr. Measner said that after what he has seen in the last two months, he has no intention of running for Parliament, but he intends be a thorn in the government's side.
He was overwhelmed to see several hundred farmers, many wearing jeans and baseball caps, protesting on behalf of someone who wears a suit to work every day.
"It's very unusual but very appreciated. It's a tremendous thing. If farmers can work together and speak with a single voice, they're a lot stronger and they'll have a lot more impact."
Marty McNabb, a farmer from Minnedosa, 210 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, said he supports the board. "We've got to make the government listen," he said, with a toothpick dangling from his mouth. "An open market might be good for some, but not for everyone."
Ernie Michaleski, a farmer from Dauphin, Man., said opposition to government plans is growing among farmers, who have recently been loyal Conservative voters.
"It's so far out of touch with reality and common sense," he said. "There are Conservative voters who aren't going to be able to vote Conservative after this."
Prairie growers gather in Winnipeg in last-ditch show of support for CEO
JOE FRIESEN 15/12/06 Globe and Mail
WINNIPEG -- Hundreds of prairie farmers travelled to the heart of the Canadian grain trade yesterday to demand that a $300,000 a year CEO be allowed to keep his job.
The wheat producers, carrying placards rather than pitchforks, staged a last-ditch protest aimed at saving the job of Canadian Wheat Board boss Adrian Measner.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl told Mr. Measner two weeks ago he was considering firing him for refusing to back Ottawa's plan to dismantle the board's monopoly on grain sales.
As the crowd chanted his name, the quiet, unassuming CEO from Holdfast, Sask., climbed onto the back of a pickup truck and looked out over signs that said "CWB -- Our board, our business" and "Strahl -- Keep your hands off our CWB."
Mr. Measner, his eyes looking tired and his voice at times choked with emotion, vowed to stay in his job as long as possible.
But moments before he emerged from the board's Main Street head office, he faxed a four-page letter to Mr. Strahl that will almost certainly seal his fate. In the letter, Mr. Measner said he cannot support the direction the Conservative government has taken.
"Based on my 32 years of experience, and based on the direction given to me by the farmer-elected board of directors, I will continue to support the single desk [model of selling]," his letter says. He asked Mr. Strahl to stop meddling with an organization that he believes should be at arms-length from government, run by farmers, for farmers.
In an interview in his office yesterday morning, Mr. Measner outlined his thoughts as he faced what could well be his last day on the job.
"This isn't how I wanted to end my career," he said. "It's a bit hard to understand, because I'm caught in the middle of an issue that I personally can't resolve. "I will continue to work for the farmer-elected board. There's no option in my mind."
He arrived at the board as a computer programmer fresh out of the University of Saskatchewan and rose through the ranks to eventually run the $4-billion-a-year organization. His staff holds him in high regard for his honest, straightforward style.
But he is clearly uncomfortable in the spotlight, and sought yesterday to deflect attention from his imminent dismissal. "I don't want us to get sidetracked on me; I want us to focus on who's in charge of this organization and who should be charting its future.
"I think farmers need to stand up and say, 'No. This is our organization, and you're not taking it.' "
Mr. Measner said Ottawa is trying to impose its will on Western Canadian farmers by refusing to follow the rules that require a plebiscite before any change to the monopoly.
Mr. Strahl has promised to hold a vote on the barley monopoly, but has not said whether he will do the same for wheat.
The Conservatives campaigned on a platform of marketing choice in the last election and swept nearly every seat on the Prairies.
Mr. Measner said that after what he has seen in the last two months, he has no intention of running for Parliament, but he intends be a thorn in the government's side.
He was overwhelmed to see several hundred farmers, many wearing jeans and baseball caps, protesting on behalf of someone who wears a suit to work every day.
"It's very unusual but very appreciated. It's a tremendous thing. If farmers can work together and speak with a single voice, they're a lot stronger and they'll have a lot more impact."
Marty McNabb, a farmer from Minnedosa, 210 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, said he supports the board. "We've got to make the government listen," he said, with a toothpick dangling from his mouth. "An open market might be good for some, but not for everyone."
Ernie Michaleski, a farmer from Dauphin, Man., said opposition to government plans is growing among farmers, who have recently been loyal Conservative voters.
"It's so far out of touch with reality and common sense," he said. "There are Conservative voters who aren't going to be able to vote Conservative after this."
Friday, December 15, 2006
And the Minister's next Move is....... ?
All my rants, over the shoddy treatment farmers have received in the last few months from this new Government, would NOT be complete if I did not report the latest response from farmers. They held elections last week. In spite of the interference from Minister Strahl and his strategists and supporters, 4 out of 5 positions on the Canadian Wheat Board , were filled by pro-wheat board representatives.
In the one position that failed to do so, 50% of the voters were dis-qualified from the vote by Government manipulations.
As reported:
Election proves farmers support wheat board, critics tell Tories
Terry Pedwell
Canadian Press
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
OTTAWA (CP) - Supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board are warning the federal Conservative government to back away from sweeping changes to the board in the wake of a vote by farmers.
The Tories want to end the board's monopoly on wheat and barley sales - a move that critics say would effectively kill the farmer-run organization. Pro-monopoly directors won four of five elections over the weekend to a new board of directors, maintaining the balance of power that existed prior to the vote.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Mark Wartman said the result sends a message that most farmers support keeping the board's marketing monopoly. "Clearly, the majority of farmers are not buying that nonsense about dual-marketing," Wartman said Monday.
"You either have single-desk selling or you have don't have a CWB and they have presented no evidence that would counter that contention."
New Democrat MP Alex Atamanenko said the vote should be a "wake-up call" for Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl. "Farmers made a clear choice this past weekend and chose the wheat board."
The Tories maintain that they want to give producers choice in how they sell their grain. But that's not what farmers have indicated they want, said wheat board chairman Ken Ritter.
Strahl suggested critics are reading too much into the board elections and it's wrong to conclude that the vote means farmers want Ottawa to back off with changes. "Other people would counter that in the federal election, 85 per cent of the MPs elected in wheat board country were Conservative," he said. "And Conservatives campaigned openly and aggressively on moving to marketing choice.
"People make decisions for all kinds of reasons, but the input that's going to be most valuable as far as changes to the board goes is going to be the plebiscite."
Strahl plans to hold a vote among barley farmers by February on "marketing choice," but he has not committed to a plebiscite by wheat farmers.
And Strahl insisted that the wheat board would survive without a monopoly.
"Everytime someone says that the wheat board's in jeopardy or the wheat board might not exist ... whenever they cast doubt on the wheat board, there's no doubt it hurts the board internationally. They should stop doing that."
But Wartman said the only way to maintain a strong wheat board is for Strahl to stop tampering with it.
Meantime, Strahl has threatened to fire wheat board president and CEO Adrian Measner for opposing the government's position.
The wheat board, which is governed by a 15-person board of directors, was established by Parliament in 1935 as a producer marketing system for wheat and barley.
Ten of the directors are elected by grain farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The remaining five are appointed by the federal government.
Some farmers have argued that selling grain through a single government agency no longer works in an era of globalization. But defenders say that without the board, grain prices would fluctuate day-to-day and farmers themselves would have to negotiate their own prices.
Still others support a dual market system, where farmers could sell their crops either on the open market or through the board.
© The Canadian Press 2006
In the one position that failed to do so, 50% of the voters were dis-qualified from the vote by Government manipulations.
As reported:
Election proves farmers support wheat board, critics tell Tories
Terry Pedwell
Canadian Press
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
OTTAWA (CP) - Supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board are warning the federal Conservative government to back away from sweeping changes to the board in the wake of a vote by farmers.
The Tories want to end the board's monopoly on wheat and barley sales - a move that critics say would effectively kill the farmer-run organization. Pro-monopoly directors won four of five elections over the weekend to a new board of directors, maintaining the balance of power that existed prior to the vote.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Mark Wartman said the result sends a message that most farmers support keeping the board's marketing monopoly. "Clearly, the majority of farmers are not buying that nonsense about dual-marketing," Wartman said Monday.
"You either have single-desk selling or you have don't have a CWB and they have presented no evidence that would counter that contention."
New Democrat MP Alex Atamanenko said the vote should be a "wake-up call" for Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl. "Farmers made a clear choice this past weekend and chose the wheat board."
The Tories maintain that they want to give producers choice in how they sell their grain. But that's not what farmers have indicated they want, said wheat board chairman Ken Ritter.
Strahl suggested critics are reading too much into the board elections and it's wrong to conclude that the vote means farmers want Ottawa to back off with changes. "Other people would counter that in the federal election, 85 per cent of the MPs elected in wheat board country were Conservative," he said. "And Conservatives campaigned openly and aggressively on moving to marketing choice.
"People make decisions for all kinds of reasons, but the input that's going to be most valuable as far as changes to the board goes is going to be the plebiscite."
Strahl plans to hold a vote among barley farmers by February on "marketing choice," but he has not committed to a plebiscite by wheat farmers.
And Strahl insisted that the wheat board would survive without a monopoly.
"Everytime someone says that the wheat board's in jeopardy or the wheat board might not exist ... whenever they cast doubt on the wheat board, there's no doubt it hurts the board internationally. They should stop doing that."
But Wartman said the only way to maintain a strong wheat board is for Strahl to stop tampering with it.
Meantime, Strahl has threatened to fire wheat board president and CEO Adrian Measner for opposing the government's position.
The wheat board, which is governed by a 15-person board of directors, was established by Parliament in 1935 as a producer marketing system for wheat and barley.
Ten of the directors are elected by grain farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The remaining five are appointed by the federal government.
Some farmers have argued that selling grain through a single government agency no longer works in an era of globalization. But defenders say that without the board, grain prices would fluctuate day-to-day and farmers themselves would have to negotiate their own prices.
Still others support a dual market system, where farmers could sell their crops either on the open market or through the board.
© The Canadian Press 2006
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Dairy's Enemies Get Sophisticated
Well now, look what showed up this week! I certainly hope Dairy Farmers of Canada and all their farmers are aware of THIS! The page below represents the output of some very sophisticated enemies, who just keep ramping it up. Unfortunately, in the current political climate, there are people in power who will look at this and re-act just as they have with the CWB. Certainly, it is someone with more power than farmers who have caused the Conservatives to try to destroy the Board.
Probably, a group with money and power similar to this bunch. After all, they usually have the most to gain. The beef is always about money and much of the stuff seen below is seriously twisted. Observers outside the industry will not know this, without some serious educational activity. And even that may not been seen objectively. -CG
http://www.dairyplanet.ca/
Probably, a group with money and power similar to this bunch. After all, they usually have the most to gain. The beef is always about money and much of the stuff seen below is seriously twisted. Observers outside the industry will not know this, without some serious educational activity. And even that may not been seen objectively. -CG
http://www.dairyplanet.ca/
Mootropolis, Canada
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Canada holds on to world record for high dairy prices!
When it comes to high prices, the Canadian dairy industry wins the international gold medal. But it's a hollow victory. Artificially high prices mean the industry is losing market share in Canada as consumers cut back on dairy and look for more affordable alternatives. International studies show that Canadian dairy prices are among the highest in the world.
Canadian dairy prices have soared 53 per cent since 1994. That's nearly twice the rate of inflation. At the same time that prices skyrocketed, the cost of producing milk fell by 3.8 per cent. This cost of production formula was created by the dairy industry and has a built-in profit for producers. * To view a bigger version of a chart, click on the chart.
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Canadian dairy prices have soared 53 per cent since 1994. That's nearly twice the rate of inflation. At the same time that prices skyrocketed, the cost of producing milk fell by 3.8 per cent. This cost of production formula was created by the dairy industry and has a built-in profit for producers. * To view a bigger version of a chart, click on the chart.
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Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Profile at Last?!
Dion promises to reinstate Canadian Wheat Board
CTV.ca
News Staff Updated: Wed. Dec. 6 2006 2:12 PM ET
Stephane Dion stood alongside his agriculture critic and the outgoing CEO of the Canadian Wheat Board and pledged that if he becomes prime minister he will reverse any decision by the Conservative government to dismantle the Canadian Wheat Board.
Dion, the newly elected leader of the Liberal Party, said Prime Minister Stephen Harper has effectively trampled on the board by firing its leader and muzzling the board against defending itself. "If Prime Minister (Stephen) Harper succeeds in destroying the Canadian Wheat Board ... I as a prime minister will reinstate the board," Dion told reporters.
The Conservative government has said it wants to end the decades-old monopoly and make grain farmers' participation in the body voluntary -- a move that some farmers say will kill the organization's effectiveness.
Farmers are divided on the issue, but a majority of the CWB's members, who are voted into office by grain producers, prefer the current framework laid out in the Canadian Wheat Board Act.
Adrian Measner, Wheat Board CEO, has opposed the plan arguing that it will kill the organization. As a result, he was given two weeks notice by Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl.
"It's a serious issues for the farmers of Western Canada because we feel it is being undermined and has to be addressed," Measner said at the news conference, noting that the plan has made the future uncertain, and international investors have become wary as a result.
"It is causing some concerns internationally. We would like to get clarity on this issue as soon as possible."
CTV's David Akin, covering the news conference, suggested the Conservatives could argue they were elected with a strong majority in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and therefore have a mandate to follow through with the plan.
Easter disagreed. "Can you the media stand here and look me in the eye and say an election in which an issue that represents 2 per cent of the population -- and that's all farmers not just grain farmers -- should actually be seen as a referendum on the board? I should think not," Easter said. "In fact the Act itself states ...there should be consultation with the board and a vote of producers and that hasn't been happening."
Meanwhile, the Manitoba government will spend $80,000 on a non-binding vote on the future of the Canadian Wheat Board in an attempt to send a message to the federal government.
Wheat and barley farmers in Western Canada are required to sell their crops intended for human consumption, or international sale, only to the board.
The board, which is based in Winnipeg, doesn't handle the grain itself or own rail cars or elevators, but the CWB's staff negotiate deals to sell the grain at a single fixed price which it sets.
The board used to be a crown corporation, but since 1998 it has been run by 15 directors. Ten of the directors are elected by farmers, and five, including the president, are appointed by the government.
The federal government guarantees to cover any financial losses the Board suffers.
© Copyright 2006 CTV Inc.
CTV.ca
News Staff Updated: Wed. Dec. 6 2006 2:12 PM ET
Stephane Dion stood alongside his agriculture critic and the outgoing CEO of the Canadian Wheat Board and pledged that if he becomes prime minister he will reverse any decision by the Conservative government to dismantle the Canadian Wheat Board.
Dion, the newly elected leader of the Liberal Party, said Prime Minister Stephen Harper has effectively trampled on the board by firing its leader and muzzling the board against defending itself. "If Prime Minister (Stephen) Harper succeeds in destroying the Canadian Wheat Board ... I as a prime minister will reinstate the board," Dion told reporters.
The Conservative government has said it wants to end the decades-old monopoly and make grain farmers' participation in the body voluntary -- a move that some farmers say will kill the organization's effectiveness.
Farmers are divided on the issue, but a majority of the CWB's members, who are voted into office by grain producers, prefer the current framework laid out in the Canadian Wheat Board Act.
Adrian Measner, Wheat Board CEO, has opposed the plan arguing that it will kill the organization. As a result, he was given two weeks notice by Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl.
"It's a serious issues for the farmers of Western Canada because we feel it is being undermined and has to be addressed," Measner said at the news conference, noting that the plan has made the future uncertain, and international investors have become wary as a result.
"It is causing some concerns internationally. We would like to get clarity on this issue as soon as possible."
CTV's David Akin, covering the news conference, suggested the Conservatives could argue they were elected with a strong majority in Saskatchewan and Alberta, and therefore have a mandate to follow through with the plan.
Easter disagreed. "Can you the media stand here and look me in the eye and say an election in which an issue that represents 2 per cent of the population -- and that's all farmers not just grain farmers -- should actually be seen as a referendum on the board? I should think not," Easter said. "In fact the Act itself states ...there should be consultation with the board and a vote of producers and that hasn't been happening."
Meanwhile, the Manitoba government will spend $80,000 on a non-binding vote on the future of the Canadian Wheat Board in an attempt to send a message to the federal government.
Wheat and barley farmers in Western Canada are required to sell their crops intended for human consumption, or international sale, only to the board.
The board, which is based in Winnipeg, doesn't handle the grain itself or own rail cars or elevators, but the CWB's staff negotiate deals to sell the grain at a single fixed price which it sets.
The board used to be a crown corporation, but since 1998 it has been run by 15 directors. Ten of the directors are elected by farmers, and five, including the president, are appointed by the government.
The federal government guarantees to cover any financial losses the Board suffers.
© Copyright 2006 CTV Inc.
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