For 68 years, western Canadian farmers have been imprisoned by the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board.
On Oct. 12, 1943, to assist Europe during World War II, Canada committed to supplying our allies with cheap wheat by making it mandatory for all western Canadian farmers to sell all wheat and barley to the CWB. This is how the monopoly of the CWB was created. There was no plebiscite held.
The supporters of the CWB monopoly believe the government of Canada should hold a plebiscite before Bill C-18 is enacted. I do not believe we should have to vote for freedom unless the C in CWB stands for Cuba.
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I would like to let you know how the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly affects western farmers. The prices that I will be quoting are all posted prices as of Oct. 26, 2011.
The price a farmer would receive at a local southern Alberta grain elevator for No. 1 Durum 13 percent protein is $4.34 per bushel. This is paid upon delivery.
Then, by Jan. 1, 2013, or some 14 months later, the farmer would have the possibility of receiving another $5.12 per bu. This $5.12 is not a guaranteed price but only an estimate anywhere from zero to 110 percent of this amount. The farmer can only deliver up to 20 percent of the current crop and may have to hold the rest until August of next year.
That same durum delivered to a local northern Montana grain elevator would receive $11.50 per bu. upon delivery and the farmer would be allowed to deliver as much as he sees fit.
The current system does not work and Canada finally has a government that is trying to get rid of this dysfunctional system.
I would like to thank the government of Canada for taking steps toward marketing freedom for western farmers and economic benefit for all of Canada.
Thank you to prime minister Stephen Harper, agriculture minister Gerry Ritz, member of Parliament David Anderson and to all MPs that voted in favour of Bill C-18.
John Turcato,Taber, Alta.
