Manitoba’s provincial government has launched an advertising campaign to oppose the federal government’s vow to dismantle the Canadian Wheat Board’s marketing monopolies.
Backed by a number of members of the CWB’s board of directors, representatives of the Port of Churchill and the president of Keystone Agricultural Producers, premier Greg Selinger demanded June 13 that the federal government allow a farmer vote to govern the CWB’s fate.
“We really call upon the federal government today to reconsider its plan and reverse its plan to end the wheat board’s present single desk operations because of the impacts on producers – they will lose their competitive advantage in terms of shipping grain – the impacts on Winnipeg in terms of jobs and employment, and the impacts on northern Manitoba, in particular the Port of Churchill,” said Selinger in the lobby of the wheat board head office.
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“All those things need to be carefully considered before the federal government proceeds with any changes in the mandate.”
The province is spending $180,000 on the advertising campaign, which has already been launched on radio and TV and in print. The wheat board is not contributing money to the campaign.
The provincial government is also hosting an online petition to support its position.
Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz quickly issued a rebuttal.
“It’s disappointing but not surprising that the Manitoba government would be against an open and competitive market that would attract investment, encourage innovation and create value-added jobs,” he said.
“The CWB and the Manitoba government should work constructively to let every farmer decide how they market their grain instead of engaging in gratuitous fear-mongering.”
KAP president Doug Chorney said a farmer vote is necessary.
“We don’t take sides on the future of the wheat board because this decision should be made by farmers,” he said.
“Any change should be farmer-driven, and that means consultation by a vote, for a clear question on wheat and barley, separate questions for each. The dual market is not an option.”
CWB chair Allen Oberg had similar sentiments.
“Farmers expect a vote on the future of the Canadian Wheat Board,” he said.
“We run it, we pay for it, we must decide its future.”
Manitoba agriculture minister Stan Struthers said the wheat board issue is important to all citizens of the province.
“Our government stands firm in its resolve,” he said.
“We’re calling on political representatives and all Manitobans to stand up for our farmers’ right to choose the future of their own Canadian marketing agency, and to stand up for the benefits that accrue to our province’s economy.”
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