Letters to the editor

Tax freedom

Each year, at about this time, the Fraser Institute calculates the day of the year when taxpayers finally start working for themselves after paying the total tax bill imposed on them by governments. They call it Tax Freedom Day. Their cause is taken up by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

The implication is that any money we pay in taxes goes to benefit only someone in government. They conveniently ignore the reality that without taxes we would have no roads or streets unless we were prepared to pay a toll every time we used them.

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Producers face the reality of shifting grain price expectations

Significant price shifts have occurred in various grains as compared to what was expected at the beginning of the calendar year. Crop insurance prices can be used as a base for the changes.

We would have no policing or fire protection services. We would have no public airports, harbours, parks, museums or libraries. We would have no food, drug, safety or other inspection services. …

These are but some of the “freedoms” we would enjoy if the wealthy elite would have their way.

I find it interesting that while the Fraser Institute expresses concern over taxes that are paid, they show little anxiety over the fact that many very wealthy Canadians avoid paying their fair share of taxes by using tax havens or by taking advantage of questionable tax rulings.

As a result, ordinary Canadians are compelled to pay more in order to meet the financial requirements of our country.

While I don’t approve of the corruption, patronage and inefficiencies prevalent in some of our governments, I am grateful to be living in a country where governments are, relatively speaking, more compassionate toward citizens than in other nations.

I believe we must remain vigilant that we are not deceived by those who hide behind the “freedom” cliché while seeking to enhance their own wealth and power.

– William Dascavich,

Edmonton, Alta.

Organics issue

I would like to briefly respond on behalf of the organic sector to the letters of Mr. Wells and Mr. Anderson (Open Forum, May 8 and 15.) I am concerned that western organic grain producers are being dragged into a debate not involving them. There is also the danger of misrepresenting what is behind the Canadian Wheat Board marketing options available to organic farmers.

Organic and conventional grain markets operate on different cycles of supply and demand. They have very different markets and prices and so they are not in competition with each other.

Because of this, organic grain now has a more responsive marketing system in place via the CWB’s Organic Fixed Spread Contract. The Organic Trade Association in Canada applauded this policy change last year, but it is very important to note that it is not an exemption, “zero-dollar buyback” nor a “freedom” as has been suggested. Other non-competing specialty crops have exemptions in place under CWB policy; organic does not.

In terms of marketing, the CWB is a relative newcomer to the organic sector and it is helpful to note that today’s organic markets were carefully built and expanded by Canadian organic farmers. Therefore, the premium value of organic grain is not the result of CWB pooling or marketing practice, as might be argued for the convention grain markets.

The organic sector has no interest in being pitted against the conventional sector in a debate over the CWB.

However, it would be uninformed and poor management to push organic back into a marketing system tied to conventional product: they just don’t match.

If producers see the CWB policy toward organic farming as particularly attractive, or like the high premium organic farmers get, then we certainly encourage conventional producers to come over to organic production.

– Matthew Holmes,

Managing Director,

Organic Trade Association in Canada,

Ottawa, Ont.

Right to food

Canada is one of 47 countries elected to the United Nations Council of Human Rights.

Right No. 1: The right to life. Living requires water and food.

On April 3, Canadian Press reported that international observers believed Canada blocked a project striving to recognize the right to water as a basic human right.

On May 23, the council (held) a special session on the right to food and the soaring food prices. Canada and six other countries opposed this session.

Indeed, other international organizations will deal with the food crisis but each will shine its particular light on it.

The World Trade Organization will favour a reduction in subsidies to farmers and an increase in global trade. The Food and Agriculture Organization will appeal for increased support to agriculture in poor countries.

Canada must understand that all actions must serve the right to food even if our country derives less profit or if it puts the brakes on our biofuel projects, for example. We’d appreciate such priorities if we were the ones craving for food.

Still, bravo to the minister for International Co-operation, Bev Oda, who announced on April 30 $230 million of untied food aid.

This is a considerable improvement, considering that in the past, nearly half the cost of food aid was for transport of Canadian grain.

– Pamela Walden-Landry,

Montréal, Que.

CWB directors

People earn the right to call themselves farmers by growing crops, not by filing paperwork.

That’s why the government of Canada is updating legislation for Canadian Wheat Board directors election.

The Western Producer hits the nail on the head in its June 5 editorial when it says the legislation’s intent puts “power in the hands of farmers whose livelihoods depend most on the wheat board’s performance.”

Under this government’s Bill C-57, CWB voters will have to have produced at least 120 tonnes of grain to qualify for a ballot.

That means the people who are driving the tractors and combines in Western Canada will be the ones voting for CWB directors.

Making sure farmers are the ones marking ballots is a common sense move and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture has said it’s happy with the 120 tonnes qualification.

CWB chair Larry Hill pointed out the obvious when he said 120 tonnes is not a lot of grain. The Western Canadian Barley Growers and Western Canadian Wheat Growers are backing this legislation as well.

This government is working hard to deliver common sense action for Canadian farmers.

If opposition parties respect the will of producers, they need to follow this government’s lead and support Bill C-57.

– Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture,

and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board,

Ottawa, Ont.

Malt markets

John De Pape may not acknowledge it in his letter of June 5, but malting capacity has almost tripled in Western Canada over the past two decades.

There are several reasons why it hasn’t grown further in recent years and why new plants are not currently under construction on the Prairies.

High labour costs, high energy costs and high transportation costs put us at a disadvantage to many areas of the world.

The Canadian Wheat Board has also recognized that, in volatile markets, the 12-month malting barley pooling system can lead to pricing and delivery concerns for maltsters.

As international trade evolves, forward selling of one year and longer is becoming the standard.

Our new CashPlus program directly addresses this issue.

CashPlus offers farmers an upfront, market-based cash price for their malting barley and can provide clear signals in advance of and throughout a particular crop year. These are binding contracts that assure delivery to the maltster.

It is also possible through CashPlus to facilitate a multi-year price signal to customers, selectors and farmers, if all parties are interested in that option.

CashPlus is proving popular with industry and with farmers. Significant tonnage has already been signed up. …

The CWB remains committed to working together with farmers and processors to encourage continued growth and expansion of both wheat and barley processing.