Send an email to get Freedom

[BreadWinner]

Dear Farmer

I want to personally thank you for your support of this government’s commitment to bring marketing freedom to western Canadian grain producers.

I have been working hard, alongside Prime Minister Stephen Harper and my Conservative colleagues, to make that commitment a reality. I am very pleased to inform you that I have introduced legislation in the House of Commons that will allow western barley producers the freedom to market their grain outside of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly.

Producers across the Prairies have been calling for choice, and we are listening. We are, however, in an uphill battle against an Opposition that would prefer to see western Canadian farmers shackled to the monopoly rather than making their own marketing choices. Today, I am calling on you to make your voice heard and let the Opposition know that you will not stand by while they continue to obstruct your freedom.

We are at a critical crossroads. In a time when world grain prices are skyrocketing, it is a shame to watch wheat and barley producers turn to crops outside the hold of the monopoly when they could be taking advantage of a thriving wheat and barley market.

Together, we have a mandate to enact choice for grain producers. Now is the time to make your voice heard. It is our goal to bring marketing freedom to the Prairies for barley producers by August 1, 2008. To do this, the Opposition needs to hear from you today. Call the Liberal, Bloc and NDP members of Parliament and let them know that you deserve and demand the freedom the rest of Canadian producers take for granted.

Again, thank you for your hard work in helping us bring marketing freedom to Western Canada.


Sincerely,
Gerry Ritz, PC, MP

List of Email and phone destinations:
Dion.S@parl.gc.ca Ph613-996-5789
Goodale.R@parl.gc.ca Ph613-947-1153
Layton.J@parl.gc.ca Ph613-995-7224
Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca Ph613-992-6779
Easter.W@parl.gc.ca Ph613-992-2406
Martin.Pat@parl.gc.ca Ph613-992-5308
Atamanenko.A@parl.gc.ca Ph613-996-8036
Bellavance.A@parl.gc.ca Ph613-995-1554

[agstar77]

This speech went over just as well with the CFA convention. I'm sure they will all email their support,NOT!

[wilagro]

And where are the e-mail addresses for the government MPs and ministers so that we can lobby for the status quo if we should so choose?

Seems a bit one-sided...eh bunkie?

[chaffmeister]

http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Lists/Members.aspx?Parliament=&Riding=&Name=&Party=&Prov ince=&Gender=&New=False&Current=True&Picture=False &Language=E&SortColumn=AffiliationName&SortDirecti on=ASC

[Burbert]

No email from us!

[stubblejumper]

Already e-mailed my MP (Mr. Ritz) stating my concern for his involvement.

[wilagro]

Thanks Chaff...I like that.

[ab287781]

Get back under the bed.
We are long past writing letters.

[lesm]

Wilagro- E-Mail addresses. Try castro@cuba.com or kimjongll@nkorea.com. I think these people will be very sympathetic towards your cause.

[Burbert]

Wow a couple of emails! I bet everyone in Otta is shaking in their boots. Farmers in the west are upset..... They'll have to respond now, just think of it sending emails to politicos, what a concept. Can't wait to hear the next innovative concept that upset farmers may employ.

[TOM4CWB]

Dear:

Agstar77,
Wilagro,
Burbert,
Stubblejumper;

It has been nearly 12 years since the Western Grain Marketing Panel Report (Recommended in an Industry wide consensus) Commissioned by the Honourable Ralph Goodale recommended: Marketing Choice for Barley.

In 2002 the Federal Parliamentary all Party Committee recommended Marketing Choice be given an opportunity to work.

It is now 2008, and we are no closer to meeting these 'Market Choice' objectives than we were in 1996.

Growers working for 'Market Choice' have been patient. We have paid a price at the farm gate in reduced returns... because some farmers like you... feel it is your place to micro-manage our families businesses.

What is the compromise here?

Will the CWB EVER provide transparent market driven daily cash prices that reflect world demand for wheat of barley?

Daily Price Contracts and Fixed Price Contracts have not provided this transparency. Further, these PPO contracts have been a major source of frustration as they cross subsidise the Pool accounts and fail to meet the objectives they were supposed to resolve.

So do you expect of us... :

Must we all buy the same brand of farm equipment at the same time... so you can get a better deal?

Must we all buy our farm inputs together... so you can reduce the cost of growing your farm?

It would be logical that we could work together and do things like these... on a voluntary basis.

The same standards should apply to our marketing services and risk management tools! We need a competitive voluntary marketing system... and the CWB system could flourish and grow... if folks with vision and determination were to lead forward!

Minister Ritz, is simply trying to nudge us into doing the right thing!

[agstar77]

Nudge! More like bulldoze us over the cliff!

[Kodiak]

Agstar,

Just a simple question. I need to understand your mindset.

When it comes to doing business as a farmer, specifically when it comes to buying our inputs or selling our production through a cooperative approach, do you believe in:

A. Voluntary participation
B. Forced participation

If you would care to, briefly elaborate on your answer. If you can give proven examples of where it has worked better (than the alternative) for everyone in the cooperative, that would be helpful.

[TOM4CWB]

Agstar77

The CWB Directors have had 10 years to provide transparent cash pricing options... and every year since they have been introduced... the Fixed Price Contracts are more frustrating and distorted by CWB Pooling.

AND now;

The CWB has lost about $10m the last year... and $40m in 06-07.

It is like it was intentional. The Contingency fund could provide the base for a voluntary CWB... which the majority of directors do not want... trash the contingency fund.

It is VERY frustrating to see the CWB crash and burn... instead of having responsible managers/directors that build good will and a stong leader.

[stubblejumper]

Tom just wondering where you get your numbers that you say the cwb lost. did Mr's Ritz and Anderson tell you or are you making the numbers up by yourself.