Winnipeg Free Press
Monday, February 26, 2007
QUOTE
Churchill helps farmers
Re: Not on backs of farmers, Feb. 21. At the recent meeting of the northern mayors and chiefs at The Pas, we strongly supported the Port of Churchill.
The purpose of the port is to give farmers a cost-effective alternative. It is the nearest deep-sea port to much of the agricultural growing region and is a cost-effective way to move grain to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Roughly a half million tonnes of wheat, barley, canola and peas are shipped through the port annually.
For the catchment area, Churchill provides significant cost advantages of roughly $15-$20 per tonne versus positioning grain into St. Lawrence system ports.
The CWB directs grain to the port that provides the highest return to producers. For farmers in northeast Saskatchewan and northwest Manitoba, this is Churchill.
By receiving grain from the prairies, terminals earn extra fees for storage, elevation, blending and cleaning.
If the Conservatives succeed in scrapping the Canadian Wheat Board, the grain companies will direct all grain to their own terminals at Thunder Bay and the West Coast.
Farmers, not just northerners and the Manitoba economy, will suffer under that move.
OSCAR LATHLIN
Minister of Aboriginal
and Northern Affairs
UNQUOTE
Monday, February 26, 2007
QUOTE
Churchill helps farmers
Re: Not on backs of farmers, Feb. 21. At the recent meeting of the northern mayors and chiefs at The Pas, we strongly supported the Port of Churchill.
The purpose of the port is to give farmers a cost-effective alternative. It is the nearest deep-sea port to much of the agricultural growing region and is a cost-effective way to move grain to Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Roughly a half million tonnes of wheat, barley, canola and peas are shipped through the port annually.
For the catchment area, Churchill provides significant cost advantages of roughly $15-$20 per tonne versus positioning grain into St. Lawrence system ports.
The CWB directs grain to the port that provides the highest return to producers. For farmers in northeast Saskatchewan and northwest Manitoba, this is Churchill.
By receiving grain from the prairies, terminals earn extra fees for storage, elevation, blending and cleaning.
If the Conservatives succeed in scrapping the Canadian Wheat Board, the grain companies will direct all grain to their own terminals at Thunder Bay and the West Coast.
Farmers, not just northerners and the Manitoba economy, will suffer under that move.
OSCAR LATHLIN
Minister of Aboriginal
and Northern Affairs
UNQUOTE
Comment