The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association strongly supports Bill C-619, a Private Member’s Bill tabled last week by Ontario Conservative MP Bruce Stanton that would give prairie farmers the ability to opt out of the compulsory provisions of the Canadian Wheat Board.
“Many prairie farmers are seeking ways to market their grain outside the CWB monopoly,” says Kevin Bender, President of the Wheat Growers. “This Bill would give those farmers the right to market their grain on their own, while preserving the CWB for those who wish to use it.”
The Wheat Growers note the Bill requires farmers to opt out for a minimum of two years, and those farmers wishing to opt out would have to declare their intention in the first three months of the year.
“This Bill would meet the needs of farmers who want marketing freedom and yet provides reassurance to those farmers who prefer to sell their grain through the CWB,” says Mike Bast, past Chair of the Wheat Growers. “It allows each farmer to choose what is right for his or her farm.”
The Wheat Growers will be seeking support of the Bill from opposition party members, appealing to their sense of justice, to ensure all farmers are treated equitably under the law, regardless of where they farm in Canada.
“Providing us with an opt-out will give us the ability to sell our grain on the same basis as farmers elsewhere in Canada,” says Bender. “What is perfectly legal in one part of the country should not be viewed as a criminal act in another.”
The Wheat Growers note as well that if this Bill passes, farmers will not be obligated to fund the purchase of laker vessels or any other capital asset that the CWB board of directors wishes to acquire.
“Giving farmers an opt-out means farmers will not be compelled to pay for the cost of the vessels,” says Bast. “It gives farmers the opportunity to decide for themselves how best to use their money.”
