"This bill is worse than anything we could have imagined," said Struthers. "The federal government is completely eliminating the ability of the CWB to be farmer run.
FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO DISMANTLE CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD ELIMINATES FARMERS'
RIGHTS: STRUTHERS
Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers said today he is speaking out on behalf of all prairie farmers because the federal government is planning to take away farmers' rights by stripping the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) of its monopoly.
"The federal government is making a big mistake and it's the farmers that will have to pay for it. This rushed, careless legislation takes a heavy-handed approach which will hurt farmers, their families and the economy as a whole. We won't just stand by and let them rip the CWB apart," said Struthers. "Minister Ritz is putting ideology ahead of everything else. This bill is both regressive and anti democratic."
Struthers' comments follow legislation tabled in the House of Commons this morning.
The legislation includes measures to:
* eliminate farmer-elected directors,
* provide for only five government-appointed directors,
* place cabinet in charge of managing the CWB,
* take away the right for farmers to vote on the future of the board, and
* provide no viable solutions for the Port of Churchill.
The CWB is currently owned by farmers and last year its gross revenues were among the highest in its history at $5.8 billion. Its head office in Winnipeg employs over 400 people and supports 2,000 indirect jobs, said the minister, adding it's also the single-biggest user of the Port of Churchill, shipping 600,000 tonnes of wheat last year alone.
"This bill is worse than anything we could have imagined," said Struthers. "The federal government is completely eliminating the ability of the CWB to be farmer run. The interim board is government appointed. Minister Ritz is essentially leaving farmers with two options: a privatized company or nothing. There's no room in his plan for farmer ownership."
Heidi and Irina Rowley
Posted at 2011-10-22 23:38:25
Dear Farmers, we greatly support you in your struggle and we are signing all the petitions and letters to our MP's but, nevertheless, you got what you voted for. When it comes to violating democratic and human rights, this government does not only reserve its attrocities to homos, colours and immigrants, it haved some special treatment for good old white country farmers. If you are not a corporation this government does nt support you. As we go to war in other countries to establish democracy this government busies itself establishing dictatorship at home. How will you vote in the next election? If there are anymore elections after this government is done "reforming". Read the fine print next time people this plan was writtien in the platform, it was no secret.
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