canadian news in aust is this it in nutshell?

[malleefarmer]

THE SASKATOON MEETING IS ON TODAY (THURSDAY- CANADIAN TIME) - THE ATTENDEES APPEAR TO BE TOO DIVERSE AND NOT OVERLY KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE BIG PICTURE - THE GOVERNMENT ARE HONORING AN ELECTION PROMISE - WE CAN EXPECT LOTS OF PRESS AND HOT AIR BUT ITS LIKELY THAT ANY REAL MEASURE OR CONSENSUS WILL BE LACKING - THE GOVERNMENT WILL USE THIS AS A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY.

IF THEY WANTED TO REALLY DO SOMETHING THEY SHOULD HAVE FORMED A CLOSE DOOR THINK-TANK TO ANALYSE ALL THE ISSUES BEFORE DOING ANYTHING - INSTEAD THEY BRING THIS TO THE PUBLIC TO CREATE POSITIONS AND HOPE THAT THEY GET ENOUGH SUPPORTERS OF DUAL MARKETING AND OPPOSITION FROM THE FLAT-EARTHERS TO MAINTAIN THE WESTERN FARM VOTES THAT SUPPORTED THEM DURING THE ELECTION AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM WHEN THEY CALL A NEW ELECTION - SOME THINK THAT WITH THE LIBERALS IN DISARRAY WE MIGHT HAVE AN ELECTION IN THE FALL.

OTHERS THINK WE MIGHT SEE BARLEY OPENED UP AND INDUSTRIAL USERS ABSOLVED FROM HAVING TO BUY WHEAT AND BARLEY FROM THE CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD - DONT THINK IT WILL HAPPEN AND THIS IS MORE POLITICS THAN ANYTHING - HOWEVER IF THE PRESENT CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT GETS RE-ELECTED IT WOULD BE CERTAIN THAT WE HAVE DUAL MARKETING.

[TOM4CWB]

Strahl promises dual-marketing plan

Angela Hall
Leader-Post


Friday, July 28, 2006


SASKATOON -- The federal government is making plans to allow western farmers to market their wheat and barley outside the Canadian Wheat Board, and the issue may not require the producer plebiscite some are calling for, Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl said Thursday.

"There's no doubt about what the government's position is, which is we're moving toward dual marketing," Strahl said.

Strahl met with a select group of organizations and farmers in a closed session Thursday to discuss options for creating more marketing choice and greater returns for farmers, in a system that would still allow the wheat board to exist.

The Canadian Wheat Board is currently the only marketer, or "single-desk" seller, of wheat and barley in the west, a system its supporters say provides big benefits for farmers.

More than 200 farmers gathered at a hotel across the street from Strahl's invitation-only meeting to hear speeches in support of the board's single desk and urge the government to allow farmers to decide its fate.

They say that under the Canadian Wheat Board Act, Prairie farmers would need to approve changes to the board's marketing mandate through a vote.

But Strahl, who called his gathering a "very preliminary meeting," said whether or not such a vote is required depends on what action is taken.

"Some changes can be made by regulations, order-in-council; some can be made legislatively, and then there is the option of the plebiscite as well. We haven't made any decisions on that and that would be part of the consultative process."

He noted the Conservatives campaigned openly on the intention to create a dual market.

"We didn't mince words. We weren't trying to be clever about it," Strahl said. "In one sense the election is the biggest referendum of all."

Stewart Wells, president of the National Farmers Union, said that won't satisfy many farmers.

"Everybody knows that federal elections are fought on a wide range of issues," Wells said. "The board belongs to Western Canadian farmers. They should make the decisions through their elected directors that they send to that board."

But some attending Strahl's meeting said they are eager for change and don't think a vote will be necessary.

"If I'm the only farmer out there that doesn't want to farm through single desk, I should have the right to seek other options. That's the principle behind an independent business owner," said Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.

"I couldn't be more positive now about what's going to happen."

Some farmers who rallied Thursday morning in a downtown Saskatoon park questioned why Strahl's meeting wasn't open to all.

"Personally, I say they're flouting our democratic process," said Joe Holden, a farmer from Lloydminster. "I would expect they would try to get rid of the wheat board, but to me it's totally undemocratic the procedure that we're having."

Others held placards reading "Our Board, Our Business" and took turns at a microphone to voice speak in support of the Canadian Wheat Board.

Strahl told reporters the government didn't invite groups that won't consider options other than the single desk, nor did they invite potential competitors of the wheat board, such as grain companies.

At the pro-CWB meeting organized by the National Farmers Union, Liberal MP Ralph Goodale said the single desk is the wheat board's most fundamental characteristic, and today's wheat board "essentially dead" without it.

"It cannot be fudged or sugar-coated or disguised," said Goodale, who insisted that under the act, farmers should get to vote.

Canadian Wheat Board director Arthur Macklin, an Alberta farmer, said the board has provided farmers with different marketing choices in recent years, while keeping the single-desk structure.

"It's beyond my comprehension how anyone can think decreasing farmers' bargaining power by fragmenting the Canadian Wheat Board will increase the value that they achieve as farmers," said Macklin in an interview at the event.

But Strahl said the groups he met with are confident the board can continue to operate even if producers can go outside to market products. He said he also plans to consult with the wheat board. He couldn't provide a timeline for potential changes.

© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2006


AS a participant in this event, I would make these observations:

1. Liberal Ralph Goodale was relegated to one of a few protesters picketing CWB progress that he himself should have been in charge of and resolved years ago.

Shame on him for leading farmers into such depression... and rage: that I was afraid for the physical wellbeing of myself and my son.

Swearing at us is not an honourable dialoge to bring our communities... prosperity and our families hope.

2. I would like Liberal Wayne Easter to take the CWB back to the Maritimes and Quebec/Ontario and use it's relic marketing system for all of Canada... and see just how much other growers outside the "designated area" would appreciate the vicious attitude of confiscation that western Canadians must put up with.

If we are to have a plebicite... fine... all Canadians vote and all grain growers in Canada must live under the CWB monopoly "single desk". Many of us in the "designated area" are sick of being second class citizens. THe CWB Act Part IV licenses all of Canadian wheat and barley production...

A CWB export license benefits an Ontario or Maritime wheat grower just as much as an Alberta wheat grower... Yet the ALberta wheat grower must pay exorbitant fees to access the market Eastern or B.C. Canadian growers take for granted... Free.

3. We need to understand prosperity is a state of mind... as is poverty.

The West side of the street, Strahl's side; sought to create opportunity through respect for each other's property, innovation, and filling market opportunities that add value and community prosperity.

The East side of the Street, Goodale's side (NFU)tried to blame everyone else but the fellow in the mirror for the problem growers face today... and offered no solution but to wine and snivel... encouraging folks to steal their neighbour's grain to make themselves more prosperous. Greed, Jelousy, and Fear were the motivations behind those who were tempted to thrash us.

THanks to David, Chuck, and Stephen for attempting to rid us of this scourge mentality.

God Bless Canada!

[JD4ME]

I think you've likely got the jist of it Mallee farmer unfortunate as it is. I for one am worried on two fronts over this show. Worried that in their haste to appear to be looking like they are living uo to the campaign promise Harper and Strahl are forgetting a little thing that I support and thats called democracy.

Heck I'm all for the free market boys bring it on. I'm particularly excited to see it because I can't wait to see what whiners like Tom4CWB are going to blame when for their woes when the board is gone.
But do you ever wonder if Harpers going to continue his free market ways? If he truly believes what he preaches how long until we can have wide open immigration to Canada in order to make the labour market an even playing field with other countries. I'm sure there are some mexicans or chinese that would have taken the place of the sullen white kids that were here today pouring(loafing) cement at 25 an hour, while the 60 year old boss did most he work. I'm sure the chinese would have done it for half that, when will we see the free market in labour Steve? Can I call you Steve? George can and he didn't vote for your party I did so I should be allowed too. So that's gonna be something I'm going to write my MP about wide open immigration. What about the PMRA and own use If I have to compete in a free market economy I should be able to import anything I need at the lowest price I can right?
Do away with the PMRA too Steve. Other countries can get real cheap chinese glyphosphate to control weeds. Do away with health Canada too Steve, the free market must prevail. Speaking of Health Canada, Canada health acts gotta go too. Don't worry about asking the voters Steve I'm sure I can round up a bunch of like minded doctors that want to private bill and we can have a meeting and announce it there.
Oh what else should we get brought into the light of the free market day that is dawning in Canada how about CUPE and the Federal civil servants replace em all and put their jobs out to tender its the only logical next step isn't it.
Public schools have to go too I've worked hard and can afford a private school for my kids why should I pay so the poor folks kids can read or write doesn't seem very capatalistic now that I think of it.
You're right Tom
God Bless Canada
or God help us all.
Remember I'm all for a wide open free enterprise economy I just want it for everyone not just so the cities can finsh picking the bones of the countryside clean for their wealth.

[TOM4CWB]

JD4ME;

1. Open running rights on rail, to allow competition;

2. A Competition Act with teeth that prevents/reverses take overs of monopolies, such as the meat packing, ag input, transportation/handling, and energy sectors;

3. A Bioenergy policy that creates grower innovation and participation in biofuels that strengthens local communities and the family farm.

These will be my next three projects to help create prosperity in Canadian rural communities.

Does this help?

[JD4ME]

Tom

Good luck with the first two , the third is something many will be working on as well but remember Free open market and Canada is at the same disadvantages there as they are in grain production, Biodiesel may work for domestic consumption but ethanol is more suited to many other higher rainfall higher biomass producing areas.

Running rights are fine but the railroads have 20 lobbists in Ottawa working on the same cause , farmers usually have 10 all working at cross purposes and with much smaller budgets.
As for the competition act it's an open free market remember, the strong survive without any sort of government interference. Any changes to the act would be quite regressive to the notion.

THe effort needs to be in putting the rest of the economy on the same playing field we are on , no barriers to bringing in labour, no labour laws, we can use the losest environmental standards in the world if we so wish. Same tax structure as the lowest cost competitors including income and fuel taxes.
If the harper government is really free enterprise then I take it the marketing boards are next?
I know I'm alittle tired of competing with teh big hutterite colonies with the guaranteed profits of the poultry and Milk. Can you assure me that Steve is going to get rid of that socialist stuff too? Or are there too many votes in Quebec to lose?

[malleefarmer]

jd4me what do you guys pay for glyphosate
we pay around $4.50 aust per litre

[TOM4CWB]

malle;

We had our EDA policy meeting yesterday in Manville AB.

I couldn't be more positive on the outcome!

One of our concerns is that CWB Directors don't destroy the remaining "good will" that the CWB has:

ANd that we will be allowed to convert this institution into a viable useful grain marketing tool.

Indications are that they are poisioning themselves in the farm community... to prove a point,

That they are toast without the monopoly... a monopoly that has always been a figment of their imaginations... but backed up by a Gov who made it reality.

THings Change!

And thank God they do!

The Internal Detractors and present CEO should be sued, convicted for fraud;

And sent to the ANTARCTIC for 10 of hard time!

Want to look after this for us Malle?