This is just one more indication that Ottawa and Quebec just don't get western alienation. Unfortunately, it shows that Dion is totally insensitive to the issue also. I expected better of him.

This is just one more indication that Ottawa and Quebec just don't get western alienation. Unfortunately, it shows that Dion is totally insensitive to the issue also. I expected better of him.

This is just one more indication that Ottawa and Quebec just don't get western alienation. Unfortunately, it shows that Dion is totally insensitive to the issue also. I expected better of him.

I think its more stupidity than insensitivity

I am not at all surprised because the East really has no "clue" as to what is going on in the Prairie Prov.....of course the Quebec and Ontario farmers want to maintain the status quo...they benefit....

Would this democracy thing that Dion refers to be something like farmers being able to participate in the Wheat Board if they want to, and not if they don't want to?

Or is he referring to the tyranny of the majority where everyone has to do what Ontario and Quebec says?

Of course Quebec farmers support the CWB. As long as western grain producers are forced to sell their wheat to the CWB that is less competition for them. They can sell their wheat to whoever the heck they like! Dion is just another Quebec intellectual who does not have a clue about how things are in Western Canada. Beaker can kiss my Alberta raised arse!

Yeah, I saw this little gem, too. This is just stupid beyond words and the problem is that Dion, Ontario & Quebec, as well as the eastern MSM is so absolutely clueless on this issue that they will suck this up without comment. Sigh........

dion is taking over the foot-in-mouth leadership role from Iggy.

And Dion gets yet another free pass from the pussy left-lib media.

~~ DION TO HOUND HARPPER ON WHEAT BOARD IN NEW YEAR ~~ Globe

(-- the Globe firewalled the link, google for lots more.)

Now why would Dion be "standing up" for Prairie Farmer's "interests" ?? There must be something more to this. Have any Prairie Farmers ever voted Liberal ??

Dion and Chretien's Liberals also "stood up"(with hands in pockets) for Que/Canada's interests and gave us Adscam.

It makes no sense that Dion would put such a high priority on the CWB. Orders from Lib-Powerbrokers ? CSL ? UN food-aid ? CIDA perhaps ?? Leadership debt relief ??

As Lowell Green said in his new book, 'Tree-Hugging Thug Huggers Destroying Canada', if something smells, follow the money.

I think we should start a petition whereby we end this preferential treatment of western farmers, and in the spirit of "inclusiveness" make ALL Canadian grain farmers go exclusively through the CWB.

How else will Quebec get cheap feed?

Dion and Quebec farmers arent the problem.Its the idiots out west that support the board that rankle me.The CWB has done to prairie wheat growers for 70 years what the NEP did to Alberta under Trudeau but the NEP was finally ditched.

Dion is all for democracy in the CWB but in the senate, not so much. Coincidently, Quebec likes the senate as well.

Al

How about we let the French citizen/intellectual Dweeb, Dion and low pockets Ralphy Goodale et al duke it out for the province/nation of Quebec with the Bloc-heads . With the Liberals it's all about Quebec and what Quebec wants, to hell with the ROC. It has always been thus.

Trudeau gave us Multiculturalism to water down English Canada and assured Quebec as a monolithic Province. We are on our way to Balkanization unless we put an end to multiculturalism.

Ontario is another suck-hole for Liberal$, there may be hope for Ontario to come to it's senses, they are experiencing the stupidity of a Liberal Provincial government under Dolty McGuinty, it may be too much Liberalism.
Dion wouldn't have a clue about the plight of farmers of any stripe.
The picture of him with his "Dream Team" looks more like class of Snake Oil Salesmen saying "have we got a deal for you!"

It's up to the Western farmers to give them the message loud and clear.
If Stephan, Ralphy and Scotty Brison are going against the grain boot them out of the wheat-fields with a frozen pointy toed boot!

So I heard the former head of the wheat board explaining that 7 of th 15 board members are farmer elected.

Can someone provide a bit of a summary. The high level issue I get is a a monopoly channel versus giving farmers choice of channel. That part I get.

I also get that some farmers continue to support the wheat marketing board, I assume becasue they dont feel they could get the same price otherwise and some oppose because they can get a higher price.

Where I get lost is the details of the wheat board itself, how it is governed etc, how farmers elect their members....

Any insight or poitning to some background articles would be useful.

Makes you wonder how many Librano skeletons will come tumbling out of the C.W.B. closet once Shelila Fraser is given the keys to the door!

The C.W.B. may be a closet full of bones, but I'm sure areas like the Gun Registry, Indian Affairs and the Chretien/Martin "Foundations" will be akin to unearthing mass graves!

The downright FEAR being expressed by the likes of Dion, I hope, is the beginning of the end of the most well connected, feared and sophisticated (sort of) criminal organization in Canadian history. (and no, I'm not referring to the Hell's Angels)

Hmm... I thought the Liberals hated the concept of "tyranny of the majority". But here we have Dion saying democracy gives him the right to impose upon people.

Well, if he can do that, let's, therefore, have a national referendum on whether to restore traditional opposite-sex marriage!

Bloody Liberals... again touting democracy when it goes their way.

When it doesn't go their way, they scream hysterically, "You would put human rights to a vote?!"

Well, the Liberals want to take away farmers' human rights with a vote. They want to take away the human right to free enterprise!

Liebrano$$$! They're fascists! *Spit*

DON'T VOTE LIBERAL!

I've got a suggestion for Dion: form a broader coalition, consisting of the Liberal Party and leftist farm groups like the NFU, KAP etc. whose purpose will be to promote the single desk CWB.

I've already thought of a name for such a group:

The Society for the Preservation of the Brontosaurus.

Other quotes from Dion ommitted from the G&M:

"It won't go down unless you touch it."

"The cheque is in the mail."

I think you are correct Lee - stupidity. The eastern bloc regard the west with what they presume is a paternalistic superiority. West of Toranna is the 'hinterland', in the opinion of 'the establishment' (in their own minds).
The West was settled by people who had courage and determination and a hunger for independence; also the pioneers of the west were not rich when they arrived so they had a feeling that they were less influential because the E. Big Shots told them so - in the past there was a lot of the 'serf' mentality left over from the old countries; a 'respect for ones betters', so to speak.
Things have changed, thanks to B.C. Socreds (who made B.C. the richest province in Canada - only to be bankrupt by the Dippers - but the beautiful province is crawling out from under the debt!), and the people and Conservative government of Alta. People out west now feel sorry for the mentally challenged, welfare state trapped people of the east. We look at Dalton and Graham with disgust and pity for the people Dalton they are ruling. The people of Sask are poor because they surrendered to the lower dog mentality and never barked or demanded rights as 'top dogs' like Alta and B.C. Alberta has two neighbours who are learning fast from the most successful province in Canada. The west has it's own front burner issues now, and the east is not really on our radar screen. We think of the east like our forefathers thought of the old folks in the old country - they have to be taken care of.... If the old folks, people we hardly know anymore, start demanding too much; the west will forget about them.
No one I know wants 'in' anymore, they want to be left alone. The hope is to prop up the east to shut them up but if they keep demanding they will be ignored and 'cut off' funds. I don't know a soul who worries about Quebec's threat to leave - we would wish them well, and hope that they can make it on their own so we would have one less drag on us.
Dyhone is a 'foreigner' to most of us, we don't even contemplate him being Prime Minister because we would never accept him. He is a French citizen and he does not speak English; he is lumped in with Duceppe, in our minds. Dismissal, not dislike.

How about a petition to have Quebec farmers made mandatory members of the CWB. After all, it is the Canadian Wheat Board, not the Western Wheat Board. Then we can ask that all canadian farmers are in, not just the west. Wonder if Que and dion would support that. Remember, the Dream Team got OJ off of a murder charge, what is dion's dream team to get the liberals off of.

Stephen

Board of directors directs CEO/President directs leadership team of VP's, financial officers, Relations officers and other departments direct on down the corporate chain.

The board of directors is comprised of 15 members. 5 appointed by the Governor in council. 10 appointed by election in 10 districts in the designated area (basically W. Canada). Elections are done by a preferential mail in ballot to a 3rd party (auditor). Producers rank candidates they wish to vote for on the ballots, low person on the ballot is dropped and ballots redistributed to those left on the ballot. (Ballots without more ranks cannot be redistributed. so you do not have to vote for every candidate) Meyers Norris Penny LLP (this year) releases the results of the election to the CWB.

More details + profiles +(map included):
http://www.cwb.ca/public/en/about/people/#leadership

Major sicking points:
-Property rights.
-Arguable price advantage.
-Designated area does not include Ontario east (or most of BC)
-Difficulty in acquiring export licenses (and buyback)
-etc

Here is this years election results if it'll help you Stephen. Directors serve 4 year terms. Odd districts went to the polls almost a month ago. Even districts will be chosen in 2 years time.

http://www.cwbelection.com/press/2006%20PR6%20Election%20Results.pdf

Truth of the matter is that nobody east of the Manitoba border knows anything about the CWB or even gives a rat's ass about it. Anything they know about it is MSM filtered. If you want a chuckle or maybe to shake your head in dismay then wander over to babble and try to follow their thread on this subject. If ignorance is bliss then they have the happiest commentors on the planet. It doesn't stop them from solving all the world's problems though.

Sorry to go OT but LGF is reporting that Stephen Harper is talking tough and Hamas and Hezbullocks.

Back on topic, I agree Kate, Dion is a gift to the conservatives as long as he talks this way. Thank God for inept, out of touch academics. They actually have a role: to lose political elections!

Man! statements like that remind me other guy
"A proof is a proof you know a proof"

How does Dion propose to secure the HUGE amounts of grain necessary to fill the order for 10% biofuel content (twice what Ambrose proposed) in his enviro plan? CWB?
Will Dion make it mandatory for Western farmers to contribute to the biofuel industry?

CWB is an example of corporativism, not democracy.

Which, btw, it has in common with fascism.

Well, looks like the lying and is still rampant with the Librano$$. If Quebec farmers are so supportive of the CANADIAN Wheat Board then why aren't they clamouring to be part of it? If the CANADIAN Wheat Board is so beneficial to the producers then why aren’t the Ontario and Quebec wheat producers demanding that they also benefit from such a scheme?

Shows what a lightweight Dion really is – regardless of the MSM’s spin on his abilities and strengths. The best engineers do not necessarily make the best managers.

Interesting that Dion is spending his time in the West in Manitoba... a whole lot more left leaning than Alberta. He's pandering for votes in Man. and Sask., that's all. He knows he doesn't have a chance in Alberta, so he's said "Screw you" once again to Alberta, and he's just trying to shore up the urban votes in the areas the Libs hold.

Typical Liberal strategy.

~~ SUGGESTIONS, open to improvements, of course, :)

- Barley transfered to open market (no dual)

- Chuck transfers CWB governing powers entirely to the Prairie Farmers in the 'designated-area'. Farmers elect Directors, CEO, ect. Gov't has no involement whatsoever. (no loan gaurantees either)

- Producer votes should be weighted by historical production #s, to a degree.

- Chuck should like this as all gov't interference is removed.

- How can Dion oppose it ?? It gives all the 'little-guys-from-shawinigan' their prairie due.

- The PWB (Producer Wheat Board) would be subject to security issues, as is the USDA.

- Only one, of four or five, major grains would be under single desk, with only Producers sitting behind that desk. (If they do not do their job well they will be replaced at the next election.) Ruckus-like meetings you say ?? so, .. should see Physicians & Surgeons Annual Meetings !!

Others, business and professionals, have obligatory, if not mandatory organizationas. Such as Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists, Western Grain Elevator Association(WGEA), Farm Implement Manufacturers Ass, NHLPA. All their services/products are covered, not just one of four or five.

Canadian Prairie Farmers are at a huge geological disadvantage. Horrendus frieght rates and a harsh climate, thousands and thousands of sellers and just a handful of Multinational buyers -- an Investment-Manager's nightmare(no pricing power). Add to that no political power at all and with rampant rural-depopulation, it will only get worse.

Be careful what you ask for. You might get it. :)

Texas Canuck:
I am an Ontarian and admit I don't know much about the CWB.
What I do know is it is not democratic, and that alone should be cause for great concern.
I'm not a farmer but I respect farming and consider it one of the more noble professions.
Again I don't pretend to know much about farming but I personally consider the Egg, Milk, etc. Marketing Boards to be similar to the CWB, in that they control who can produce what, and how much.
That to me is Communism.
If anyone out there wants to educate me as to where these policies are good for all, please feel free to do so.

Great Post Jemma54!
I couldn't have said it better.
Merry Christmas!

From what I understand, the reason for things like the egg, milk etc marketing boards, is to guarantee that Canada has it's own supply of food staples. In a free market system, it might be (probably due to farm subsidies) cheaper to buy eggs, milk, cheese, etc from different countries than to produce it in Canada.

There's a reasonable argument for having the ability to feed your own population nationalized.

Not about the CWB but regarding Dion.

Unbelievable...in the G & M today Dion announces that the Liberanos will follow Chretien's successful 1993 campaign strategy of "jobs,jobs,jobs."

Just further proof that the Liberals don't have a clue about Western Canada.

Out here in the west we need people,people,people to fill the jobs,jobs,jobs and there won't be any Liberals taking credit for the job creation.

Also,the Canadian jobless rate is roughly half of what it was in '93(11.1% then 6.3% now)
so good luck with that strategy you socialist bird brain.

CBCPRAVDA and a negative spin on Harper on a liberal problem

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/12/21/harper-gomery.html

Total hypocrisy from Dion. He complains about "jeopardizing the democratic process", but he has declared his intention to hand-pick female Liberal candidates across the country.

More leftie logic that only those dimwits can rationalize.

I watched the dipshit Dion on TV making those assertions. Dion is playing to the home crowd back in La Belle provence.

Besides the fact that Quebec farmers are NOT even able to participate in The Western Canada Wheatboard there is as yet no move to abolish it.
The issue is "Mandatory Participation".

If as I suspect a majority of grain producers opt to stay in there will be little change in the big scheme of things.
Those who opt out can have their way and TRY to make it on their own. All they want is the chance! Right!

The matter of Measner is more a reflection of his unwillingness to show accountability than anything else. Strahl had plenty of good cause to fire him.

I'm betting it will all work out for the better after some more housecleaning!

Western farmers will be digging this at their next hoedown.

B flat dim2 sus4 aug5 add6 flat7

This has not much to do with wheat...and a lot to do with Dion trying to line up the Quebec support...does he really know any Quebec farmers. Is he speaking with them ...Does he even realise CWB doesn't involve Quebec farmers?...I'm with Lee...Dion sounds 'informationally challenged'.
wildrose...Dion does not speak for Ontario, or any eastern farmers.He speaks for the Liberal party only.

There seems to be a lot of ignorance about the CWB on this board - and I would suggest getting educated before making such sweeping dogmatic statements against it. Now I'm not very knowledgeable myself, but people should at least recognize that it's a difficult issue and that there are good arguments on both sides. My dad is a farmer in SK and he's concerned about the Conservative plan to dismantle the board, though he's not decided either way on the issue. Here are some of the things we talked about:

1. The American farmers don't like the CWB, so this would suggest that the CWB gives prairie farmers an advantage. (On the other hand, apparently Quebec farmers like the CWB, so this suggests the opposite. Personally, I'd go with the former interpretation simply because farming in Quebec will be much different from prairie farming.)

2. My father grows many crops that he has to sell on the open market, which is always a big headache - so he has always been happy to have a few crops that he can leave for others to sell (especially wheat, which is a relatively cheap crop anyway).

3. I think it's clear that an open market will benefit some farmers, e.g. those close to the U.S. border, and it will be worse for others in different situations. The question is whether the Wheat Board benefits all farmers enough that it justifies disallowing what benefits a few.

4. Mr. Measner was the choice of the majority of prairie farmers to serve as Wheat Board President because he supported the single desk. So the Conservative's decision to fire him went against the majority opinion of Western farmers. If this is not anti-democratic I don't know what is. You can complain about Dion all you want, but he is right on this point.

In response to those who critize the whole history of the CWB and the single desk, I think it was undeniably beneficial in the past, so this shouldn't be what the discussion is about. Rather, the discussion should be about whether it is still beneficial. It certainly is possible that its usefulness is over and the Conservatives are right. However, the decision should be made from knowledge of current economic realities and in consultation with prairie farmers.

Great find on Daryl Knight!

Now only if there were a Canadian equivalent of Fox News......[sigh] dream on.

lol, Bob Tarantino pwns.

Mr. Measner was appointed by the government.

And if you go to your left, and do a search on "wheat board", you'll find a lot more informed discussion in the comments than you will in nearly any other venue.

"Democratic" as in "Peoples Democratic Republic of Canada".

Not unsimilar, there's this quite amusing story in the Globe today of how he is going to campaign as if it were 1993.

Best line of it, was:

"Mr. Chrétien won the election against Madame [Kim] Campbell because she said we cannot reduce unemployment. Mr. Chrétien said 'No. We will. We will create a machine to create jobs in this country and we will do it with fiscal discipline' and we delivered."

So clearly, lying about nuking the GST, running against a split Conservative movement, voters looking to punish Mr. Mulroney, an economy in the late 90's that would've made anyone look brilliant, and Ms. Campbell's campaign making fun of Mr. Chretien's face had NOTHING to do with it.

He also neglects to mention of how this "machine" created jobs for, you know, Liberal friends.

That said, I'm loving this arrogance. It shows they haven't learned a damn thing.

And it's not as if this intervention on the wheat board is going to make a difference. The Conservatives will still sweep the west. I don't know why the Liberals don't focus on how they're going to lie to Ontarians.

Michelle Macafee IMO is a disgrace to journalism.She has far too much company in this country.

What did the agricultural minister know, and when did he know it. Story out that the US has banned wheat from the Australian Wheat Board, and is considering its purchase of wheat from the CWB, and might ban purchases from it. Is that why the minister is trying to get rid of the monopoly, so cdn wheat and barley can enter the US market. What will that do to all the cwb supporters in Ottawa and the media. And they thought the democrats would be good to Canada. Even Bono is finding out they are not friends. Harry Reid said a big no to his request. What is dions reaction to that announcement.

Michael,
It is unbelievable that you call others ignorant when you support the oppression of the rights of those who want freedom to market their own product.
Imagine if your neighbors decided to impose a law on you that you could buy anywhere other than where they said you could. There is no justification for this type of oppression no matter how you rationalize it.

This whole thing is about risk. When prices are high then the CWB is a pain. When they are low well it's a savior.

Personally I think they should go with the risk. If they want choice a single buyer or multiple choices then that's ok as long as I don't have to pay via taxes.

Even those farmers who voted for the Status Quo probably don't know any different. It's the way it's been for their entire lives so it's difficult to change better the devil you know.

Thanks Kate. I know there are a lot of well-informed posts on these boards. And it's helped me become more informed.

Yes, I realize Mr. Measner was appointed by government, but if I'm not mistaken he was recommeded to the post by a farmer-elected board of directors. And did the board of directors not recommend him to the position because the majority of prairie farmers supported the single desk? I'm open to correction on the details, but this still seems to make the Conservatives position anti-democratic. I'm not saying they have no jurisdiction to fire Measner, and I'm also not saying they're wrong to do away with the single-desk (the majority isn't always right). But it's still against the will of the majority of farmer's to whom the Wheat Board happens to be accountable.

Just looked at the results on the Wheat Board Election. Of the districts that voted (1,3,5,7,9) 4 of the 5 directors elected were CWB single desk supporters.

District 1 (voted for Dual Market)
Overall Response Rate - 53%
% who voted for Dual Market - 56%
Winning % in comparison to
total eligible voters - 29%

The remainder of the Districts voted for the Single Desk Option:

Overall Response Rate - 51%
% who voted for Dual Market - 61%
Winning % in comparison to
total eligible voters - 31%

The gist of my post is that just over half of the farmers eligable voted in the election. The percentages show that there is not overwhelming support for the CWB retaining its monopoly. But that the supporters are doing a better job of getting their people to mail in their votes.

Just looked at the results on the Wheat Board Election. Of the districts that voted (1,3,5,7,9) 4 of the 5 directors elected were CWB single desk supporters.

District 1 (voted for Dual Market)
Overall Response Rate - 53%
% who voted for Dual Market - 56%
Winning % in comparison to
total eligible voters - 29%

The remainder of the Districts voted for the Single Desk Option:

Overall Response Rate - 51%
% who voted for Dual Market - 61%
Winning % in comparison to
total eligible voters - 31%

The gist of my post is that just over half of the farmers eligable voted in the election. The percentages show that there is not overwhelming support for the CWB retaining its monopoly. But that the supporters are doing a better job of getting their people to mail in their votes.

Thanks ADUNE for the reply.
I understand the need to have a supply of food for ourselves, but why does the government have to intrude in the day to day supply of of it?
The Marketing Boards dictate how much and at what price a farmer can produce. Is that fair?
In a market economy, the rules of supply and demand should apply, just like any other industry.
The fact that government has to control it smacks of socialism at its worst.
If we were at war or some catastrophic situation became us, then yes, until the situation came under control. But to dictate who can, and cannot produce milk, cheese, pork, eggs, beef etc. for sale is not acceptable to me.
Here, in Ontario, a farmer is being vilified because he produces and sells raw milk. While I won't drink the stuff because I have never had it and would probably get sick from it, why should he not be allowed to sell it to those who have an affinity for it?

Yeah, Michael, Alberta elected and recommended its senators-in-waiting...

Recommendations and suggestions are simply that.

Lovely, that. Isn't it always funny how they manage to find those with Liberal Party connections to mention in their stories.

Now only if there were a Canadian equivalent of Fox News.....

Posted by Doug at December 21, 2006 04:19 PM

Well, the closest thing to that is perhaps SDA...

It's a good start.

I said it before, I dont care if 99% vote for a single desk, if its mine its MINE! NO one else has a say. Otherwise it just communist control...

Meachael and other like him pretend they are using democratic principals but in fact are using the tyrany of the majority to oppress those that want freedom. He and others like him will never respond to the question: "Would you allow your neighbors to dictate to you where you can buy your farm supplies such as chemicals or even your farm truck?" They rationalize their oppression with the collectivism ideal of communism when its suits them. "Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy" (Winston Churchill) They adhere to the "gospel of envy" so tightly they will strangle themselves in the process."But at least were all equal."
UGH..........

Let the farmers opt in to the wheat board if they want to
If the board is good it will do well against any competition.
Where is the problem with making it optional??????????????????????????

G Atric. Most, if not all, Govmits of the world control food production and supply in one way or another. There is no such thing as an 'opened market'.

The Europeans have CAP(Common Agricultural Policy).

The Japanease have The Japanese Food agency.

The Ausies, AWB.

Argentina taxes, yes taxes, grain exports.

Same with Brazil.

USSR, East Block.. quagmire of controls.

USofA has the USDA, the biggest bear in the market. Pays farmers to grow grain, pays them not to grow it ect.

Canada, well what can we say. Supply Management-clamps. Grain(other than CWB) is allowed a so-called free-market within-a-range.

Have we ever seen the govmit allow any major grain to be completly sold-out ?? Even when we have a very small Canola, crop exports seem to majically slow down so that we end up with some carry-over. Tight(~0.75M-Tonnes), but enough to hold down prices and guarantee Canadian's supply. Ever hear of millions starving in other parts of the world ?? You got it.

Carry-over controls prices, not S&D.

Govmits of virtualy ever country in the world view food as simply too important to be 'left' to the market place. Period.

If one should want to operate in a completely free market business, try motor boats.

I think that Eskimo probably has it right. The posturing and noise making is to make sure that 30-40 years of unmarked graves will not be dug up by the Auditor General's office.

The Gun Registry with the smoke and mirrors has people thinking that it was a police state thing. NOT, it was a Liberal rip-off. Hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars stolen by those thugs. Dion was the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs Chair at the time. Y'know, the guy that tracks what the Intergovernmental activity is. Yep, thassa m'boy

Dion is just another slice off the Liberal loaf. Look at who his sponsor is and look at who is back in the news. Cretin,.oops. Misspelled it but I think that I'll let it stay.

Major criminal organization. The Liberal Party of Canada

Does Dion know that the US is considering banning wheat imports from the CWB. Does he think this will mean great riches for eastern farmers and western farmers in the CWB will have no place to sell their grain except overseas. Is that why he is so concerned about our western farmers. Wonder how they would vote if they knew this. Remember they banned our beef and Dion and the liberals did nothing. Mel Gibson uses foreign languages in his films. Is that the language dion uses when he attempts to talk english. Eventually the msm is going to have to admit the truth. dion is a loser because of his english. Reading what he says, via closed caption, really proves it, he can't use the proper tense, order, or pronounciation. Harpers french is so much better than dion's english. The english debate will kill dion in all cdns eyes except the medias. Even que voters will be embarassed to allow this person become PM.

not sure where you got that info MaryT.

The US is of course moving to ban AWB import to the US over the kickback scandal with Saddam Hussien and the oil for food program.

I have not heard anything about action against the CWB, nor evidence that the CWB participated in the same kickback scheme. (tho I find it hard to believe any company doing business with Iraq at the time did it without dealing with Saddam)

NAFTA and the WTO would allow us atleast the ability to appeal such a ban.

Farmers should not be forced to sell their own wheat to the CWB, plain and simple. I was sickened when western farmers were jailed for trying to sell their wheat to someone other than the CWB. This is not democracy, it is communism. Why do the Liberals cry about gay rights, but majority rules for the CWB? Let farmers opt out.

The marketing board for dairy products are different from the wheat board in the sense that they only allow a certain number of producers. Anyone who wants to sell these products has to buy "Quota". This quota sells for huge dollars because it is a guaranteed income. The supply is very tightly controlled and consequently so are the prices. Most of the Dairy farmers in Canada are in Quebec and Ontario and they like their closed little club. I think if you were to look at the bottom line of most dairy operation they are doing well under this scheme. The consumer is probably not getting the best deal.

I don't know if any of you are old enough to remember the white margarine that came with the little packages to add color. It's my understanding that colored margarine is still illegal in Quebec. This was done in response to pressure from the Dairy producers.

thanks barcs

Milk costs much, much more in Canada than it does in the USA.

Rip-off Canada, thanks to True-dough and his Librano clepto-cult.

End marketing boards and monopolies now. Up with free enterprise.

Quebec would scheme foul if the milk quota was made proportional to population instead of the automatic 25% they have now.

big quota and cheap western feed. just another subsidy to keep our "cultural heritage"

I should check before I post , Quebec gets 40%, Ontario 30 % , Alberta 6%, it was worse than I could imagine.

http://www.fraserinstitute.ca/admin/books/files/Milk.pdf

FREE.

You are 100% correct. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Democracy and freedom/liberty are two separate things. It has been shown time and time again that sheeple are all too willing to vote away their liberty in exchange for very little in return.

People get all hung up on this supposed "gag order" that has been placed on the CWB saying that it is undemocratic. What is undemocratic is the CWB being able to use farmers' money (including the money of those 50% or so farmers who don't support their monopoly) in order to spread their propaganda and fear tactics. Because we don't have a choice they use our money to fight against those of us who value choice in order to save their jobs (otherwise known as places at the gravy trough). The CWB is a government entity and shouldn't be allowed to use public money to tell all about how good it is - it is essentially an extension of bureaucracy and has no business in this argument (as the East of Canada should have absolutely no say in this argument). The CWB reminds me of a big union - running around trying to justify its existance with retoric and fear mongering.

well here's mr knight: look under 'western farmers' a couple scrolls down.

http://blackrod.blogspot.com/2006/01/exhibit-f-brandon-reporter-turned.html

Ah yes that intellectual backpack toting miniturdeau will save the country from the evil free marketters. Oh please come soon Stepon Rapunzel we need another french asshole to rape this country for what is left of the few remaining billions left that have not yet been stolen by the slimy lieberals. More self loathing lieberals is just what we need in this country. A lieberal hates himself more than he can hate a conservative, they should be charged with a hate crime against themselves if it wern't so dam funny to watch their contorted faces as they so 'tolerantly' describe Stephen Harper and his evil plot to topple one more pillar of turdeaus ussr. the wheat board.

when i farmed the usda could alway's find another billon bushel's of what ever crop was in shorty supply. when we grew oat's the board which had control at that time said there was no market. the board was paying .78 cent's . we recieved 2.65 on the free market, where price's have basicly stayded. off board feed wheat is higher than on board #1 threw the board. average age of farmer 58? have coffe with these guy's. they don't like the board but are scared. that this is all they have ever known. open the book's let all farmer's see the profit's made all oppostion will be gone!

''Now only if there were a Canadian equivalent of Fox News.....
Posted by Doug at December 21, 2006 04:19 PM
Well, the closest thing to that is perhaps SDA...
It's a good start.'' Canadian Sentinel

We distort, you deride?
Talk about damned with faint praise.

One of our neighbours had a dairy farm. If his good cows produced too much it was dumped down the drain. What a waste! But he would be financially penalised if he was over 'quota'. He was up to his neck in debt trying to get enough quota...eventually lost everything.

One of our neighbours had a dairy farm.(Ontario) If his good cows produced too much it was dumped down the drain. What a waste! But he would be financially penalised if he was over 'quota'. He was up to his neck in debt trying to get enough quota...eventually lost everything.

cal2. Love it in theory. Tougher in practice.

Tho transportation possibilities have greatly improved since the milk board was set up the largest population is still Canada's heartland. And it is still cheaper (and easier) to ship grain than Milk.

Set aside tho the fact that it is more cost efficient to produce most of it in Ont/Que. And look at industry expansion. Assume 1000 units of production on farms (and your %'s. That would be 400 in Que, 300 in Ontario 60 in Alberta.

Say we have a milk shortage and look to increase production by another 200 units. Do you think it is easier and cost effective to stick in into 700 units down east or increase the Alberta production by 330%? (increasing farm sizes, building new infrastructure, new processing, new farms and buildings to go with.)

Hunter, you're absolutely right that "farmers should not be forced to sell their own wheat to the CWB, plain and simple."

Not only is CWB confiscation of farmer's grain fundamentally wrong, but when you understand the fraud that has been perpetuated for years on farmers, its also illegal. The basic reason is very simple: the CWB is federal legislation under the REGULATION OF TRADE AND COMMERCE, whereas farmer's own grain falls under AGRICULTURE. Over the years, the courts have consistently distinguished between trade and commerce and agriculture.

In fact, it was the 1974 Supreme Court decision that found Ray Sommerville not guilty, (in flagrant violation of the clear words of the CWB Act). That is why we got the open domestic market in feed grain in 1974.

Today, regarding exports, the CWB is even illegally acting beyond what the Act says, by arbitrarily granting licences to eastern farmers and denying licences to prairie farmers. Licencing legislation applies equally to all exporters and western producer held grain is no more under TRADE AND COMMERCE than eastern farmer held grain. Its outrageous.

Hoax Aware said: "USofA has the USDA, the biggest bear in the market. Pays farmers to grow grain, pays them not to grow it ect."

I think it's the USFDA no? And, if I remember correctly, the FDA reigns over all states within the republic, not just 4 states in the upper mid-west as the CWB does within Canada...

One board denies exit - the others deny entry ... maybe on average we have a liberal "free market".

BTW: I am not a farmer - just have farmer kin.

maryjane, if your only contribution here is to insult the privilage you're offered, then leave. Next time, I won't ask.

If there's overwhelming support for the CWB, it will succeed when its monopoly is gone.

If it's doing such a great job, why aren't eastern farmers clamoring to sell to the board?

Barcs-it was on the american news this am, before 8.00a.m AB time. Now they wouldn't lie would they. Probably CNN. Yes, such a decision could and would be appealed, but what would that cost and how long would it take. And what would happen to all the CWB farmers in the meantime, if they could not export for several years. The US will probably try to find a way to recoup all the payout re the SLD. Regardless, it is a question never cosidered by anyone and we should be asking What if. Think of all the things that have happened that we were assured never would. I still have the letter from a former liberal justice minister stating that under no circumstances would the liberals ever allow abortion to be legal in Canada. Wonder if Dion would pay big bucks to get it back. PET was the PM at the time.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is a HUGE player in the US grain market and an even bigger player in the World grain trade.

Reagan got into the world 'grain price war' in a big way with USDA's EPP (Export Enhancement Program) in 1986. The world's grain trade has not been the same since.

The USDA is, among other endeavours, the manager of the American's grain inventory. Carry/over is used to control US prices and the world's too. CBOT is by far the biggest and most influential grain market in the world. Control it and you control the world grain trade prices.

The USDA was active as far back as the 70s. During the USSR's 'great grain robbery', the USDA demanded that the 'free grain trade' could make overseas sales only after recieving export-permits, from the USDA, thus driving up US inventories and driving down prices.

It is in the US and Europes interests to have very low world grain prices. This keeps other counties farmers from freely producing and taking export markets. The US and European economies can easily afford the huge export subsidies to their own farmers.

Hence the 'BIGGEST-BEAR-IN-THE-MARKET' title.

To all the Dion haters in the west: bear in mind that the four western provinces put together have only 92 seats in parliament, while Ontario alone has 106. Mocking Dion and his ideas will not change this fact.

Secondly, I'm not a farmer so I don't have an opinion one way or the other on the CWB. However, those that complain that it is not democratic are wrong. Democracy is normally the will of the majority, but it seems that what some people want is a liberum veto. That's silly and self-centered, and it would only result in anarchy. No one is forcing people to farm at a loss. Farmers who don't like the CWB are free to change crops or quit farming and get another job. I hear there's lots of work in Alberta...

lberia,

Are we also free to get rid of the union vermin?

lberia, answer me one question. How do you feel about the inequality of Ontarians and Quebecers being able to freely market their wheat but Western farmers cant?

It seems as though you are the self-centered one, willing to allow choice for some areas of the country and not for others..... I wouldn't characterize the many many Western farmers who want the same choices as Ontarians and Quebecers as "silly".... and there are a lot of farmers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba who are looking for choice in marketing their grain, this is not an 'Alberta' issue, its a 'Western' one. They deserve that choice as much as those in Eastern parts of the country.

rd

Hey ural:

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rd:

I didn't come across any info on Quebec, but my understanding is that Ontario producers voted for direct marketing several years ago.

http://www.choicematters.gov.ab.ca/files/pdf/GrainIndInfo-OntarioWheat(2006).pdf

And as I said before, I don't care one way or the other about the CWB. That should be for the farmers to decide. My point is that in order for it to be democratic, there should be a plebiscite and it should be a majority decision. Those that can't abide by the will of the majority are free to sell the farm and find other work. Or are farmers forced to be farmers?

A couple of weeks ago, I heard the Agriculture Minister being interviewed on "The House", and when he was asked if he would honour a plebiscite that had a majority vote to keep the CWB, he refused to answer the question. So it appears that Chuckie only believes in democracy when it supports his agenda.

lberia,

Thanks for your feedback ... but it really didn't answer my question. What if the majority of Canadians wanted to get rid of all the public service (thats a joke) unions? Would you support the majority vote?

It's not up to the majority of Canadians, because they don't belong to the public service unions. Those that belong to the unions can hold their own vote on whether or not they want to be organized...just like it should be up to the farmers who are part of the CWB to decide about their future.

I have to admit that im puzzled by this whole issue.
Do we actually have legislation in this country that denies farmers the right to do as they see fit with the product of their investment and labor?
Seems to me, theres no necessity for a plebicite or vote of any kind. Repeal the law, let those who wish to stay with the CWB sign long term contracts so there will be stability and predictability.
Those who wish to do their own thing will be free to do so.
If any entity has to deny freedom of choice for farmers in order to exist, there is a fundamental flaw in the system.

I have a question about the eligibility for voting for directors of the CWB. It is my understanding that it is only individuals who have sold wheat or barley through the CWB in a certain time period.

From reading information posted here I get the impression that many farmers have not participated in the CWB for a long time by growing crops that are not handled by the board.

Are these farmers able to vote for the directors?

If not the voting process has become totally skewed. Farmers who refuse to participate in the monopoly are still affected by the existence of the monopoly because they cannot get into the wheat and malt barley markets. If they can't or won't grow CWB crops they can't participate in the process.

If I do have my facts straight then this board is kind of a self perpetuating organism. It excludes individuals who don't agree with it's policies from participating in the direction of the CWB. Is there anyway of knowing how many farmers grow crops totally outside the CWB? This would tell the real story.

Canadian Association of Journalists
Statement of Principles
Approved at 2002 Annual General Meeting
Preamble

It is our privilege and duty to seek and report the truth as we understand it, defend free speech and the right to equal treatment under law, capture the diversity of human experience, speak for the voiceless and encourage civic debate to build our communities and serve the public interest.

Freedom of Speech

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the press. A free flow of information sustains and vitalizes democracy because understanding emerges from vigorous discussion, openly reported. Our legal traditions give media privilege and protection. We must return this trust through the ethical practice of our craft.

Fairness

Our reporting must be fair, accurate and comprehensive. When we make mistakes we must correct them. We must not ignore or temper the facts in order to curry favour or avoid retribution. We must hold ourselves to the same standards that we set for others.

Diversity

Our stories will capture the rich and diverse values, viewpoints and lives of the people in our communities. We need to understand how our own beliefs and biases can interfere with our ability to see and report fairly and courageously.

The Right to Privacy

The public has a right to know about its institutions and the people who are elected or hired to serve its interests. People also have a right to privacy and those accused of crimes have a right to a fair trial. There are inevitable conflicts between the right to privacy, the public good and the public’s right to be informed. Each situation should be judged in the light of common sense, humanity and the public’s rights to know.

The Public Interest

The right to freedom of expression and of the press must be defended against encroachment from any quarter, public or private, because we serve democracy and the public interest. Journalists must be alert to ensure that the public's business continues to be conducted in public.
Journalists who abuse their power betray the public trust.

Directors

Michelle MacAfee
Canadian Press - Winnipeg

So how does MacAfee get off trying to tell us Daryl Knight is "just some farmer", when she knows that he's a like minded lieberal stooge plant, just like her?

Ural, I have tried to get others like iberia who support the CWB to answer a similar question. They rationalize the oppression of the minority away as long as they are not in the minority. Typical behavior of a Liberal who imposes their communist ideology on others against their will.

Maybe Daryl Knight is really Capt. Jamil Hussein? That could explain why Michelle Malkin can't find him.

Seriously, the fact that the farmers who left the wheat farming and the business all together didn't have a say in this CWB election farce. Of the farmers who still grow wheat, the board has been the only thing they have known and to get out from under that security blanket is a big step, even if that blanket has been slowly suffocating you. For them it is a case of the devil you know. Gee, kind of like the health system, eh?

I still say, if this CWB is so frikkin' great then why aren't the farmers down east demanding the same treatment?

Albertaman:

First, you should read my posts before you comment. Where did I write that I support either side?

Second, I find it interesting how freedom loving rightwingers like you twist things around so that democracy becomes "oppression of the minority" and "communism".

Kate: Get a load of this. The CWB is paying $1,000.00 to each of its employees "because of the stress the Government has put them under". The following is from the National post.
Unbelievable!!

“It is a token of the board and farmers’ appreciation for working in an environment that has been attacked by the government of Canada.”
Bill Toews, a director from Manitoba, said the optics of the bonus and how farmers might view it were all factored into the board’s decision.
“The rationale was the staff have undergone a lot of stress and worked under very difficult conditions that have been imposed on them by what Mr. Strahl has done,” Mr. Toews said.
“If farmers are concerned about what we did [authorizing the bonuses], they will have to place that responsibility on Mr. Strahl, not the board.”

Isn't the wheat board supposed to be "non prifit"? I could be wrong. In any case, a politically motivated employee benifit paid out by a crown corporation is yet another reason to send in the forensic accountants and find where every last penny has gone to.

iberia, Answer the question: "Would you allow your the majority of your neighbors to impose a law on you that forced you to buy your household supplies from a single supplier that they alone approved and if you didn't have you thrown in jail". I woul bet you you will find some way to skirt the question. This is the your type of "Democracy" not mine.

Albertaman:

If I couldn't abide by it, I'd move. What's the difference between your analogy and living in a condo? Or living in any municipal area? If you don't like the rules or by-laws, then you have two options: get the majority of people to agree with you to change things, or move.

I suppose you would be supporting your next door neighbour against the tyranny of the majority if he wanted to burn old tires in his back yard...

Albertaman: Please know who you are talking to...it is NOT lowercase "I" beria, it is lowercase "L" Beria. Google the name "L. Beria" and check out the posts about the russian mass murderer.

Then your comment "Typical behavior of a Liberal who imposes their communist ideology" will seem prescient.

Now, now, Eeyore, that's tough talk for someone who picked the name of a character who lives in a "gloomy place".

Assuming my undestanding of CWB is correct, to me these are salient points:

- yes, directors elected, except one-third appointed (think of federal election where PM could appoint 1/3 of MPs before ballots counted). Does this not taint the result?

- if CWB good idea supported by wheat farmers, why is it compulsory to use. Sounds a bit like public insurance debate (in this case government got use of reserves required to invest/pay claims).

I admit I am always suspicious of government telling me something is good for me and then forcing me to use it ie CWB and public auto insurance

lberia,
Condo rules are there to prevent the disruption, disturbance, nuisance or risk to safety caused by a onther tentent living in the same building. Freedom with harm to none is the basis of this argument.

eeyore, Good thing we have the typo police like you at work or we would all be lost.
Gees.Get a life man!

Albertaman, I'm not picking on your typing...I couldn't care less. If I wanted to do that, I'd have a heyday with Revnant Dream's posts. ;)

I just want you to know that you are debating with someone who apparently idolizes a russian mass murderer, that's all. Debate with the devil as much as you like...just so you long as you know.

Whoops Sorry Eeyore! A misinterpretation on my part.

No worries, Albertaman. Just trying to watch your back ('cause your front is just nothing to look at, baby!). ;)

I suspect as a result of being made aware of their shoddy fact checking, CP, Ms. Turchansky and Ms. Macaffee will be sure to print a clarification on the story.

I suspect as a result of being made aware of their shoddy fact checking, CP, Ms. Turchansky and Ms. Macaffee will be sure to print a clarification on the story.

I wonder how many of these form letters Ms. Turchansky had to send?
I received one with exactly the same wording.
Should not professional journalists realize that google is their friend too?
Kudos to her for a prompt reply.

CP seems to be sweating bullets - *Liberally*. =TG

On the Update from Canada Press..
I'll be dadgummed!
Well I've been saying for years now that CP and it's couterparts in the News Biz are usually either incompetent or outright dishonest...Appears they are willing to 'fess up to Incompetence!

Ok, could give Ms T the benifit of the doubt on this one, afterall she did reply. But what about the other thousand or so "misrepresentations" in the media this last year ?? Or the year before ?? or decade ?? or decades ??

" ... feedback from readers like you helps us do our job better ... " Ah huh.

Would Linux support a web-site such as;

' A media story appears as presented, warts and all.' Then, CLICK and the real story(like Mr. Knight's affiliation) is instantly over written. Cool, eh?? If only I was younger and knew more than to just turn the damn thing on !!

There are some farmers who want the CWB and only the CWB to sell wheat. There are some farmers who want the CWB abolished. There are some farmers who want free choice to sell their wheat either on the open market or the CWB. They want this choice on a day to day basis. That will not work.
They have to decide, one or the other, and should sign in or out of CWB for at least 3 years. As for elected and appointed directors. It is only recently directors could be elected. The majority of decisions made by the CWB were in effect years before this happened. I do hope all those employees enjoy spending the farmers money. Do they ever think of the stress they have placed on farmers by their decisions to open a quota or not. They are like union bosses and executive, they get paid their big bucks regardless of what their decisions cost the workers. How many union execs only get strike pay when they order their workers out, and only if they show up on the picket line. Can a golden handshake be cancelled if it can be proven said employee deliberately acted to get fired. Was his contract negotiated with or without elected directors.
The poor reporters discovering that a false or misleading story will be demolished in minutes via some blog. We should demand public apologies from them all.

Winnipeg Sun

By TAMARA KING, STAFF REPORTER
Quote:
"Meanwhile, one independent Manitoba farmer warns food costs could rise if the wheat board is eliminated.

"We need to save the wheat board single desk," said Andrew Dennis at Dion's stop." ...-

Andrew Dennis is more than "one independent Manitoba farmer"; Dennis is a Liberal Party apparatchik, spouting the Liberal Party line. Dennis was an ex-officio delegate to the Liberal convention, 2006.

Will Tamara King/Winnipeg Sun issue a clarification as to the identity/Liberal Party affiliation of Dennis?

Here is Dennis and Downing:

List of ex-officio delegates to the Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention, 2006

Brandon—Souris MP/Candidate Murray Downing Supporting Dryden E. Andrew Dennis President Supporting Dryden

Nuanced reporting - CP - MSM?
How about their polling - nuanced as well?

Good find maz2. It looks as though this 'independent' Liberal farmer thing is becoming a pattern....

rd

Eeyore:

Get your facts straight..Lavrenty Beria was a Georgian, not Russian.

"Debate with the devil"?! Get a grip! I'm not really Lavrenty Beria, nor do I idolize him. Or are you really a cynical donkey who lives in the 100 Acre Woods?

With a little googling I found that Michelle Macafee is possibly married to a Paul Northcott. Not 100% on that.

David Northcott ran as a Liberal in Winnipeg Center in the 2004 election. (Along side of Liberal Murray Downing in Brandon-Souris whom Daryl Knight was campaign manager) Any relation between Paul and David? Brothers? Maybe, maybe not. In any event, there seems to be enought 'politically involved' Liberal farmers around pretending to give their 'independent' view on the CWB. Whether the reporters know them as such is I guess up for debate...

rd

Well, actually, lberia...yes, I am. How did you know?

I picked the "handle" Eeyore because my personality and outlook on life mirrors his to an extent and I pre-suppose that others do the same thing...I would guess that Albertaman is from Alberta...I would guess that Texas Canuck is a Canadian living in Texas...I would guess that B. Hoax Aware wants you to beware of hoaxes. And I guess that you are honouring L. Beria in some way by posting under his name.

Well Eeyore, until I start advocating torture and mass murder, don't read too much into the moniker. My real name is taken and besides, just because some people wear monster costumes at masquarade parties doesn't mean they really are monsters.

i need gov't only to protect my right to life. nothing alse.

Interesting. I was recently only vaguely paying attention to this Canadian Wheat Board story (mostly via SDA). Then, earlier this week CBC radio, in between phone-in calls about muffin recipes and sweaters had a telephone interview with a local Fort Saint John, BC farmer touting the glories of the CWB, and it caught my attention.

Unfortunately, I can't remember this farmer's name, but the whole interview seemed obviously scripted. The farmer gave a splendidly well-organised CWB talking-points presentation, helpfully abetted by the CBC interviewer.

No farmer with an opposing point of view was interviewed.

Obviously, it's not news to anyone where the CBC's loyalties lie, but they seem to be getting less subtle about it these days.

Now I really wish I had noted that farmer's name, just to see what his real interest in the CWB is.

In response to Red Deer's post of Dec. 22, 6:20 PM.
I am indeed happily married to Paul Northcott.
However, he is absolutely no relation to the former federal Liberal candidate David Northcott.

Michelle; thanks for that, are you a liberal supporter?
Any luck speaking to Mr. Knight?

What, a reporter reads SDA, maybe to get the facts for her next story. So far no liberal farmers from southern alberta have been interviewed, and there are at least 2. One runs a feed lot that Martin visited on a rare trip to the west.

Michelle, thank-you for the clarification.

rd

This blog is quickly becoming home to paranoid Rush Limbaugh types.

Can the moderator use some judgment and require people to have at least a salient fact in their posts, instead of wild specualtion about (for example) who may be married to who, and are therefore Liberals in hiding, plotting against the world.

If not, this blog will play into the streotype of Conservatives -- Grampa Simpsons at their typewriter, raging at anything and everything.