Federal Government Introduces Legislation

[charliep]

MINISTER RITZ INTRODUCES PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD ACT

OTTAWA, Ontario, May 27, 2008 – The Government of Canada is introducing amendments to the Canadian Wheat Board Act to make sure that board members are elected only by Western Canadian farmers who are commercially producing grain. The Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, introduced Bill C-57 in the House of Commons today.

“You earn the right to call yourself a farmer by growing crops, not by filing paperwork,” said Minister Ritz. “This Government is making sure the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) listens to real farmers by introducing this legislation to give farmers a stronger voice in director elections.”

The current legislation allows any producer to vote in director elections. Many producers who are named in a permit book have retired, rented out their land, or only grow small amounts of grain as a hobby.

This legislation will ensure voters in CWB director elections are genuine farmers who have produced at least 120 tonnes of grain in either of the two crop years preceding the election. The Government of Canada intends to have these eligibility requirements in place for the director elections in the fall of 2008.

“The CWB must be responsive to farmers and this Government’s legislation delivers that accountability,” said Minister Ritz.

[furrowtickler]

Ritz was on Gormly this morning and I thought explained these changes vey well, I think it was a great interview. If he stays on track to let the "actual" producers have more control this will all be a good thing.

[Fransisco]

He should have gone a step further and weighted the ballots according to tonnage. If we have to have elections, which is not my first choice, then it should be treated like a business not a government.

Those with more shares in the business should have more say.

[parsley]

Peeing ones pants must change the Ph of the mind.

If Ritz applied voting stipulations AFTER he changes the CWB licensing regulation or orders the CWB to grant export/interprovincial licenses to ALL prairie farmer applicants,it would be reasonable.

Farmers could lobby to include further restrictions on voting requirements including allowing only size 36C breasted women, or fuller, to vote.

Smaller farmers are being restricted voting privileges; thus, paralleling Ritz' reasoning, all little teats should also be refused a ballot.

The small-teat inclusion would nicely reflect his methodology.

Parsley

[TOM4CWB]

Parsley...

I know for a fact that the election changes have been in the works for over the last 6 months... the barley change and loss in the courts has been more 'visible' but not necessarily more important.

Wheat marketing is being damaged the worst... by the present Goodale system... and is by far the most critical to our livelihoods as commercial grain growers.

Minister Ritz has another court case to work through before he can make the 'bold' moves... as you would encourage him to proceed with!

This CWB file is the toughest one in government today... and Minister Ritz needs encouragement Parsley... remember what your job is... TO BE NICE!

[parsley]

My observations, as a farmer, is to make appropriate suggestions.

The parallel is valid.

The suggestion is within the realm of possibility, and just about as popular as his present suggestion.

A ministerial order telling the CWB to grant licenses to the West exactly the same as they already do in the East is more do-able, I admit, than being hung by the neck with 32AAA bras knotted together.

I'm quite flexible to suggestions, though. And nice about it.

Parsley

Parsley

[GrainBeetle]

T4CWB: What is your bro size?

[wilagro]

Another backward step by Ritz. Looks like only a small cabal of farmers will be eligible to vote for CWB delegates. What a total crock of doodoo. Par for the course for this minister who likes to cater to a small elite group and disenfranchise many who have a vested interest in marketing their grain even if they are not doing the actual farming. Democracy in action??? I don't think so.

[vvalk]

Wilagro. It amazes me how you and other CWB supporters are so small minded. 120 tonnes over 2 years. Thats roughly 60 acres of board grains a year. If you do not grow that much grain then why would you have a vote. Give the small farm/big farm argument a rest. 60 acres. THINK ABOUT IT

[Ron]

What the hell is wrong with you? ARE YOU HIGH? What the hell is a vested interest? EITHER YOU GROW GRAIN TO MAKE A LIVING OR YOU DONT YOU DUMBASS. Who can live off 1/4 section? Maybe an organic grower BUT THEY ARE ALREADY ALLOWED OUT OF THE CWB, WHY WOULD THEY GIVE A RATS ASS?
If you dont grow a 1/4 section of grain (in cigarette butt Saskatchewan, much less than 160 acres in high production areas, how about irrigation country?) you are not farming to make a living so why should you matter?

I am sick and tired of the CWB bullshit you people keep trotting out.

A small cabal of farmers grow more than 160 acres of grain? WTF?

I reworded this post twice so if you dont like my language KISS MY ANTI-CWB ASS

SCREW THE CWB

[Ron]

vvalk, we had a tie but I like my rant more.

SCREW THE CWB
SCREW THE CWB
SCREW THE CWB
SCREW THE CWB
SCREW THE CWB
SCREW THE CWB
SCREW THE CWB
SCREW THE CWB

Whew, time for a beer

[parsley]

Any dumbass knows that organics are NOT ALREADY ALLOWED out of the Wheat Board.

Period.

We still have to be involved with the Wheat Baord.

Ontario does not.

Quebec does not.

Albeit, a negotiated rate, we still have stupid people to negotiate with. And explain it to.

I want a bloody Minister who knows what is important. Knows how to give an order. Knows what he is there for.

Being able to bypass the Wheat Board is what is important.

Then the farmers who enjoy chasing "rules" can continue on with their merry little games of Grow Lots to Vote.Wear a tie to Vote. Eat Beef to Vote with Eugen Whelan's progeny to run the program.

Parsley

[Ron]

Parsley, you can bypass the CWB with a token payment. Thats a "get out of jail free" card to me.

SCREW THE CWB

[Ron]

Just thought of a scam?
If I grow less than 120 tonnes/year then I cant vote. Then should the CWB apply to me? If I get a permit book for each of my 4 kids, partnership with my wife, hmmm. I think I can wiggle at least a dozen books at 119 tonnes each. Plus my 3 non farming landlords. 15 permit books that dont count would be 1785 tonnes/year?

SCREW THE CWB any way I can

[parsley]

"get out of jail free" card means very different things to you and I.


The Wheat Board negatively applies to you because it's most important function is the licensing, not the marketing function.

You/farmers/Ritz want to tinker with marketing rules.

"We need one Director over 6 feet tall,"
"Gotta have one woman".

A fourteen month discussion on how many acres to vote...100?

A seven month discussion on which crop to vote.."gotta have wheat",

"nope gotta have barley,"

"nope gotta have both within 4 years,"

crap, crap, crap.

We need to fOCUS on LICENSING


Once we have a blanket license, none of the above matters. The CWB can spend years planning and commissioning and debating the makeup of the Wheat Boarers.

Farmers can bypass them with license in hand, not pay for their stupid nonsense, their stupid lonterm planning that has seen wheat and barley deciamted under their watch.

Keep your eye on the ball. The issue is not about tinkering with the makeup of the Directors. It is about bypassing the CWB altogether.

It is about Licensing.

Parsley