Chuck Strahl

[agstar77]

Conservative Ag Minister.

[melvill]

Large, but not complete, cabinet list at: www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/02/06/harper-ottawa060206.html

No word on minister responsible for CWB. Strahl?

[agstar77]

Strahl also responsible for the CWB.

[Vader]

Strahl has announced that the grains and oilseeds payment program launched by the Liberal would be enhanced such that a much larger portion of the payment would come out now. The initial payment has been increase from 5.8% of eligible net sales to 7.4% and the checks will be in the mail starting in the next two weeks.

[parsley]

toughgoofit, this announcement means a few extra $$ in the pocket,for seeding.

But, better marketing options is the only real fix. Flutter, flutter.

Parsley

[parsley]

Parsley, or anybody, how is that money being calculated? I know it is off Net eligible sales but what years?

[Vader]

Five year average

[furrowtickler]

It is too bad that the last 5 years have been a disaster for some of us, but the money will be a welcome sight. The last average years we had were back in the mid to late 1990's.

[furrowtickler]

5 year average 2004 before?

[TOM4CWB]

GOVERNMENT ACCELERATING PAYMENTS TO FARMERS

OTTAWA, ON, February 6, 2006 - Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board Chuck Strahl announced today that producers will begin to receive initial payments under the $755 million Grains and Oilseeds Payment Program (GOPP) within the next two weeks. Virtually all of the funds will be delivered in the initial payments.

"We know that it is important for grains and oilseeds producers to receive these funds quickly and to receive virtually all of their payment now," said the Minister. "We made a commitment to Canadian producers to deliver the money under the grains and oilseeds program as quickly as possible and we are following through so that cheques will begin to go out and the payment will be as large as possible."

Under the GOPP program, producers of grains, oilseeds and special crops will receive payments based on average net sales from 2000 to 2004. The initial payment is based on 7.47 percent of average net sales. A producer with average net sales of $70,000 will receive an initial payment of $5,229. Virtually all of the funds in the program will be distributed to producers in this initial payment, beginning in the next two weeks. A final payment will be made in the fall of 2006.

Producers of eligible grains, oilseeds and special crops who participated in the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program for 2004 will automatically receive a payment and do not need to apply. New farmers who began farming in 2005 and those who are actively farming but did not participate in the 2004 CAIS program must send in an application. (See attached backgrounder for details)

Standing up for opportunity is central to the federal government's approach to building a strong and more dynamic Canadian economy. Canada's resource industries, including farmers and other sectors, such as forestry, mining and fishing, are integral to creating opportunities for Canadians. Helping these industries grow, prosper and be competitive on the world stage is key for the Canadian economy.

I got this off the AAFC site.

[parsley]

MP David Anderson from Saskatchewan is the Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Chuck Strahl.

uh huh. Life is unfolding as it should.

Parsley

[Incognito]

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/new_team_1.asp