The Western Producer is starting a new feature, in which it takes a look at some of the stories that made headlines in issues of the newspaper from 75, 50, 25 and 10 years ago.
75 years ago: Feb. 22, 1940
Federal Conservative leader Robert Manion called for restoration of the Canadian Wheat Board in a speech that outlined the party’s long-range wheat policy.
Alberta premier William Aberhart called a provincial election for March 21. His Social Credit government had been elected in August 1935.
50 years ago: Feb. 18, 1965
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Saskatchewan Wheat Pool’s board of directors called for federal wheat subsidies during a Feb. 15 emergency meeting. A recent drop in grain prices was estimated to cost western producers $50 to $75 million in reduced income.
Canada’s new national flag was raised on Parliament Hill during an official ceremony Feb. 15. The event was attended by 10,000 people. The maple leaf was soon flying coast to coast. “God bless our flag, and God bless Canada,” said prime minister Lester Pearson.
25 years ago: Feb. 22, 1990
McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada said it would switch from corn to canola oil in its 610 outlets. The company originally had reservations about using canola oil, saying it had a distinctive “grassy” odour and flavour.
However, a blending process eliminated those concerns.
Counterfeit vegetables and marketing problems were identified by a researcher as two of the headaches that organic farmers would have to deal with. The potential for bogus products was worrying the industry as consumer demand for organic food increased and more producers and distributors entered the organic food market.
10 years ago: Feb. 17, 2005
The House of Commons agriculture committee ordered a forensic audit of Canada’s five largest packers to figure out how much of the government’s BSE compensation fund ended up on company bottom lines.
It meant government auditors would soon visit packing company offices to go over financial records with a fine-tooth comb.
A public opinion poll found that prairie wheat farmers were about equally decided on whether the Canadian Wheat Board should keep its monopoly, at least as long as they believed the board could continue to exist as a player in a “dual market.”
However, that all changed if the choice was between the existing CWB monopoly or an open market. When that was the choice, then a strong majority of wheat produces favoured the CWB system of the day, including a small majority in Alberta.
Contact bruce.dyck@producer.com
