CWB history
There was an increased demand for wheat in Europe during the war. This caused prices to sharply escalate on the Canadian and American grain futures markets.
The Canadian government of the day had a price control policy during the war years. The rising wheat price created a problem for the government.
The Canadian Wheat Board, still a voluntary agency, could not source wheat in this rising market. Prairie farmers were selling to the higher spot market offered by the private traders. The Canadian commitment to deliver low priced wheat to Britain was put in jeopardy.
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In September 1943, the federal government halted wheat futures trading on the Winnipeg Grain Exchange. This made the CWB the sole authorized receiver and monopoly market of western Canadian wheat.
This all took place without any farmer input or vote. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
– Grant Giraudier,
Bengough, Sask.
Make the case
It would seem to me that the first person to suppress information in an argument has lost the argument. I believe that applies to the present situation between (federal agriculture minister) Chuck Strahl and the Canadian Wheat Board.
Moreover, one has to question the resulting wisdom of a decision if information is suppressed or if coercion is involved, such as the fax sent to Adrian Measner by Chuck Strahl. We are all familiar with adage that justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done.
I would therefore urge minister Strahl to allow the wheat board to make its case fully and completely.
I would also urge the government to make theirs. Then we should let the wheat and barley growers decide.
Certainly there are precedents for this. Canola growers had the right to make this decision on the marketing of their grain many years ago, and even now, chicken, egg and dairy producers have the ability to market their products in a manner of their own choosing.
– Terry James,
Vegreville, Alta.
Expensive idea
The leader of the official opposition, Stephane Dion, has been quoted as saying that if Harper’s Conservative government dismantles the Canadian Wheat Board, he would reinstate it once the Liberals got back into power.
Dion should be aware that if the board were reinstated, under the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement, international grain merchants would have the legal right to sue the Canadian government for loss of anticipated profits.
Since their potential profits could run into millions and millions of dollars, reinstating the board would cost Canadian taxpayers a humongous amount of money.
In my view, the opposition parties in Ottawa should make every effort to ensure that the wheat board continues to function. That way, the board would retain for Canadian farmers the profits that would otherwise go to international grain merchants.
– William Dascavich,
Edmonton, Alta.
Money waste
I phoned the CWB and asked them who was paying for the legal action being taken against the federal government. Their response to me was that “all CWB costs are paid from the pool accounts.”
I wonder how many farmers out there know the CWB can dip into their hard-earned money whenever it pleases. The gag order has been put into effect not only to stop the CWB from self-promoting itself but to stop it from wasting farmers’ pool account money.
The CWB has no right to waste my money on this legal action. The CWB is supposed to return all money to the farmers less marketing costs. It does not have the right or mandate to waste my money on court cases to have a gag order overturned so it can waste more of my hard-earned money.
I think if Ken Ritter and all the rest of the CWB payroll fear for their gravy jobs so much they should throw some of their paycheques into the pot with mine.
– Dwight Pomedli,
Elfros, Sask.
Traceability
The Canadian cattle industry is being watched closely by the Americans, importers worldwide of Canadian beef and beef products with regards to BSE.
Traceability is what is saving the whole industry from total (rejection) of beef produced by Canada.
As an exporter of beef, Canada has credibility of a safe product at stake. This country and the beef industry as a whole has to be thankful that the beef producers had the forethought to implement traceability for the cattle industry.
Special thanks should go to the cow-calf producers. …
Traceability has to go further. It is at the fledgling stage but through electronic tagging and age verification we as an industry will have a system that is superior to any worldwide.
This all falls on the back of the cow-calf producer having to spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars to purchase material and equipment and doing the legwork of tagging, recording and reporting the data for no fee.
Why is it left to the cow-calf producer first and foremost when the whole beef-processing sector benefits the most? …
Traceability of beef is for the benefit of the whole industry and not just for the cow-calf producer. The groundwork is done and organizations like the Alberta Beef producers and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association are all on track.
The cow-calf producers are not making big enough dollars that they can afford to subsidize the whole beef industry and its freeloaders benefiting the most from traceability of Canadian beef.
– Colleen and Andy Pomerleau,
St. Paul, Alta.
Red flags
Are there not a lot of red flags waving with the dictator style tactics that Stephen Harper and Chuck Strahl are using in the dismantling of the CWB? When the vast majority of farmers support the wheat board, ask yourself why the urgency to dismantle?
Is it not a direct blow to democracy when the government is not only going against the majority of farmers, but also against section 47.1 of the CWB Act, which was set up to prevent this very thing? Is it not worrisome when CWB directors elected by farmers are gagged?
The definition of a dictator is “a ruler who has complete power as a person in power who acts unfairly or cruelly.” Harper also has gag orders on all his MPs, and all this with a minority government of under 40 percent. Imagine what he will do with a majority with just over 40 percent of the vote. The farm portion is only two or three percent.
Corporations have elected their men in Harper and Strahl. The main beneficiaries in this case will be the grain companies. This is all part of the corporate takeover of Canada. …
In those few farmers who feel they are big enough to ward off the huge grain companies, think again. It’s sad when we have all the facts we need. It’s called history”.
The only choice farmers need is the choice to have a plebiscite and the choice to have their farmer-elected CWB directors speak, by lifting the gag order.
– Judy Jamieson,
Battleford, Sask.
Add sickle
I am responding to the deplorable and ruthless attack the federal government has launched against the Canadian Wheat Board.
The last time I checked, there was room in the centre of our red maple leaf for two yellow symbols which I thought were long dead.
However, the Harper government appears intent on reviving them, namely the hammer and sickle. And while they are at it they might as well place four lost letters on our flag as well, CCCP, which appropriately stands for the Canadian Conservative Communist Party.
Harper and company are trying to appear as peacekeepers abroad while filling the role of war mongers at home. Chuck Strahl and the rest of the Harper government need to be asked “Why shouldn’t you be fired?”
– Jim Swettenham,
Winnipeg, Man.
Dying dinosaur
On Nov. 20, the CWB informed me by letter that it will accept only 80 percent of the offered tonnage of Series A delivery contracts.
To add insult, the CWB felt that providing a reason for the decision was not necessary, just as expected from an authoritative father giving a directive to his kid.
To add further insult, this letter was mailed, let alone received, two days later than the date allowed under the terms and conditions of Series A wheat delivery contracts.
What the CWB is telling me is that they are not confident to sell Series A tonnage before July 31, 2007. It is disturbing.
World supply of wheat is at its tightest level in the past 20 years. We have the best quality wheat for the past 10 years or so. Market prices are the best in the past five years. Movements of wheat to port, as per Nov. 19, are 70 percent higher than last year.
I must conclude that the weak link is marketing skills and lack of confidence.
I am probably not the only producer that sees the drawing on the wall of a dying dinosaur. Let’s look at all options to market our wheat with full confidence.
РFran̤ois Messier,
Saskatoon, Sask.
Think again
Think Canada has a lot of water? Think again.
Grim warnings from scientists continue to be ignored. Governments, bureaucrats and politicians alike lack urgency and determination on water and environmental issues. They do not understand that compromise is not a solution.
The nutrient load, manmade, is increasing and that is eroding the quality of our water sources. Lake Winnipeg is becoming a huge sewage lagoon.
David Schindler, a nationally respected water scientist, puts it this way: “If I was the City of Winnipeg, I’d cut my contribution of phosphorus and tell agriculture to pony up.” All governments must take action and seriously address the situation now.
Their continuing failure to do so is irresponsible and a crime against future generations.
– John Fefchak,
Virden, Man.
Child labour?
I am writing this letter in regards to a serious problem with child exploitation in certain farm related industries in my community and southern Alberta in particular.
The immigrant children of Kanadair Canadians, commonly know as Mexican Mennonites, are leaving school at the age of 12 to home school. In reality these children are full and part-time employees in feedlots and on potato grading operations. Some of them are registered with a local alternative school but have told me they do their lessons when they have time in between their job and helping in the home.
These immigrants left Germany during the Second World War and immigrated to Canada because they did not believe in war and were conscientious objectors. They left Canada for Mexico when Canada passed its education act in 1957 because they don’t believe in education.
To quote one young woman I know, “education causes confusion.” Therefore, in order to keep the young members of their sect abiding by their rules, they do not encourage education. The young working members of these large families are obligated to hand over their paycheques to their parents until they leave home. Because Mexico’s inflation rate is very high and climbing, many families are coming back to Canada.
As a result of this practice and farmers willing to exploit these families with full parental support, we are starting to see many young people who are functionally illiterate in our communities.
Instead of being in school until they are 16 or in an approved home schooling situation, the parents are allowing them to work in operations that are dangerous. …
I have looked up the legislation, and it seems very clear to me that this practice is clearly not legal in Canada. I have spoken to Alberta Labour and Relations Resources, and because these are farm operations, they have indicated their hands are tied and little can be done by their organization to stop this exploitation.
So, before some child is irrevocably maimed or even worse killed, this practice has got to stop immediately….
Shame on you if you are participating in this type of child exploitation. Shame on all of us if we stand by silently and knowingly allow this to happen to children in our communities.
– Connie Waddle,
Scandia, Alta.
Suggestions
Brothers and sisters of all the farming communities of Canada, I have a few suggestions in regards to improve not only the grain and oilseed industry but to improve mixed farming as well in this beautiful country called Canada.
There is nothing wrong with Canada except the people that are running it. This system has to be changed before it’s too late and I’m afraid it might be too late right now. Would you believe that I’ve been farming since I was a boy and I’m 78 years old and I’ve had a part time job since 1954. It’s just the last three years that I’ve been taking life a little easier, and don’t you think it’s time?…
First of all I would like to know why the Canadian Wheat Board line ends at the Manitoba-Ontario border. I was brought up to believe that Canada’s borderlines were between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Furthermore, the CWB should be changed to the Canadian Grain Control Board. The border at Manitoba-Ontario should also be eliminated so as the border would be from ocean to ocean to ocean. Furthermore, no feeder or buyer of any kind can buy grain or oilseeds from any farmer direct.
The Canadian Grain Control Board is completely responsible for every commodity on every farm. The way I see it, one system is bucking the other and we’re going nowhere. We farmers are quite proud and dignified and don’t want to be subsidized by any government. We just want a fair price for our commodities. Once a year and preferably from July 15 to Aug. 1 the price on all commodities should be set by a group of farmers.
The quota system should remain stronger than ever, giving every permit holder equal advantage to selling their products….
This may sound communistic to a lot of people but I feel that this is a small price to pay for every Canadian man, woman and child for delivering their food to be processed. Could anybody imagine how this could affect every city across Canada with the deplorable situation concerning congestion? Can anybody imagine what Canada will be like 100 years from now if people don’t spread out in this vast country?…
– Raymond Como,
Riviere Qui Barre, Alta.
Choice important
I would like to see choice in the marketing of wheat and barley. Giving us producers choice is one of the most important decisions that can happen in western rural Canada.
The designated area in which the Canadian Wheat Board has monopoly powers over is only in Western Canada and does not apply to Eastern Canada. For example, Ontario has its own wheat board, which is totally optional and where farmers have the right to sell to whomever they choose.
Back in the 1960s when I started to grow rapeseed, as it was called back then, the quota was controlled by the CWB. About 1968 the CWB said there was no sale for rapeseed and they would not open the quota at all.
Humboldt Flour Mills found sales at an excellent price. Many farmers delivered their rapeseed and were happy. The CWB found out and took every farmer to court. We were all given substantial fines. They also fined Humboldt Flour Mills a huge fine for finding sales for our rapeseed.
In 1972, Otto Lang took rapeseed completely out of the control of the CWB. Rapeseed became a major crop overnight, paying everyone’s bills and keeping a lot of farmers on the land who otherwise would not have been able to survive.
Here we all are in the year 2006 and in a lot of areas canola is still paying the bills. Unfortunately, with wheat and barley under the CWB, they are still not paying their share of the bills….
In the past years, if I had a choice I feel that I could market my wheat for at least $1 a bushel higher and malt barley for at least 50 to 75 cents a bu. higher than the CWB achieves for me.
As of Nov. 2, the initial price at Parrish and Heimbecker at Quill Lake, Sask., is 43 cents per bu. for No. 1 CW feed barley. The open market price for feed barley in this area is around $3 per bu.
A western Canadian farmer is allowed to sell feed wheat or feed barley domestically on the open market without going through the CWB.
The pool return outlook through the CWB for malt barley is below what I can get on the open market for feed barley. So where is the premium that the CWB is supposed to be getting for us? The same scenario holds true for wheat.
The CWB has been the biggest deterrent in having added value in Western Canada. Here are some facts: between the three prairie provinces we have 85 percent of the arable land and in total these three provinces average 17 percent of Canada’s gross return on agriculture. Some farmers still believe that the CWB is the best marketing tool. Good luck to you, but give the rest of us choice….
The system we have right now hasn’t worked for 63 years and isn’t going to work in the future.
Please give choice a chance, so that we can see rural western Canada prosper and keep our young families in our communities.
– Charles Anderson,
Rose Valley, Sask.
Just fainted
Pick me off the floor, I just fainted. Chuck Strahl’s task force of anti-CWB appointees did what? They recommended doing away with single desk selling. My goodness what a surprise.
In some countries they hold elections and only members of one party are allowed to run. Guess what party wins?
This task force is our Conservative government’s version of this. It’s not democracy. The notion that government guarantees and the single desk selling powers of the CWB can be replaced by making the CWB another grain company is asinine, at best.
The wheat board is a selling agency, respected in the world community. We have plenty of companies and an overcapacity in the grain industry as it is.
The truth is I can grow almost any crop I want on my farm and sell it on the open market. The price I’m being offered for these commodities is so high that I can almost get back the cost of production.
This task force thinks that farmers are making so much money, we are going to line up to buy shares in a CWB grain company. Why would we? To create a company that will compete with grain companies we have shares in already? I don’t think so. Government guarantees to the CWB allow it to borrow funds at preferential rates. Interest earned on transactions is returned to producers by way of the pool accounts.
No guarantees and no CWB will mean grain companies will be borrowing at market rates. Who is going to pay for that? The producer, less price offered.
When I sell open market peas and lentils, I wonder if the cheque will bounce. Won’t that be intriguing, to have that on the wheat and malt barley side? …
It doesn’t really matter if a producer favours the open market or single desk. They want to vote on the issue. It is the proper thing to do, the way democracy works.
The only people who would oppose a vote can’t prove their position. Even Mr. Strahl’s task force doesn’t think dual marketing is a sustainable option.
The question is simple. As a producer, are you in favour of the CWB retaining single desk selling powers, yes or no?
Ask the question Mr. Strahl. Make it binding.
– Berle L. Eberle,
Viceroy, Sask.
Pretty darned cold
The British Columbia Peace River country has been ravaged by this summer’s unrelenting drought and extreme heat well into September with most harvest what there was, taken off by Sept. 1, at least five weeks early given a normal fall.
Cattle producers so short of feed, herds being sold off with dugouts dry due to lack of any meaningful snowfall last winter.
Grain crops and canola were 30 to 40 percent of a normal year. (As for) hay, well, one good bale per acre was good and two to three acres per bale the actual.
To make matters worse, so-called experts called for the continuing conditions to prevail with little significant moisture and El Nino to boot.
Little land work took place until the last days of October when a little moisture and rising markets promoted a few farmers to start work towards the 2007 crop year.
Well here we are (with) the whole area blasted by a very early winter snowfall and then another and another two feet to date and more in the near future, if we can believe the so-called weather experts.
Our (thermometer) has not seen above -10 C for eight days and nights (and) many below -15 C and to top her off, just three hours ago at 4 a.m., it read -30 on the nose.
Today I question all predictions on forecasted moisture and that terrible few words, global warming, as we are -15 C below normal. I do believe, though, that we are to see more profitable years ahead if we can grow a crop.
– Nick Parsons,
Farmington, B.C.
