Harper moves to kill wheat board control of barley marketing

Obsessed with eliminating the Canadian Wheat Board

Ottawa (5 March 2008) - The Harper Conservatives have introduced legislation to end the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) monopoly on sales of western barley, a move that defenders see as the first legislative step towards killing the board entirely.

The timing of the bill has major political overtones in the current minority parliament.

Desperate for an election they feel they have a better chance of winning now than later - in a deteriorating economy - the Harper government has hinted they may use the board as a pretext for a confidence vote that will force Canadians to go to the polls.

All federal opposition parties support the CWB and are opposed to Conservative calls to kill it.

The board has a monopoly on sales of most western grain crops - known as 'single-desk' selling. Supporters say this helps farmers get the best prices. They also argue that the bill fails to meet legal requirements set out in the Canadian Wheat Board Act.

The only legal way for the government to proceed with the bill is to consult CWB directors on the change it wants to make - something it has not yet done - and to obtain the consent of grain producers in a secret ballot vote, critics say.

The Conservatives want the legislation passed before spring seeding and brought into effect by Aug. 1.

Manitoba NDP MP Pat Martin says the legislation is an attempt by the Conservatives to crack the wheat board and fulfill a longstanding wish by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to put it out of business.

"It's pure ideological madness," Martin argues. "It's a crusade on the part of the Conservatives and these zealots are going to run roughshod over the prairie economy as a result."

James Clancy

"The real agenda of the Harper government is to dismantle public institutions," says James Clancy, president of the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). "We can only wonder what else he would take out if he had a Conservative majority."

NUPGE has been strongly supporting an ongoing national campaign to save the wheat board from the Conservative axe.

Clancy says many NUPGE members live and work in western Canada and, along with thousands of other union members across Canada, are strong supporters of the board.

"Our members everywhere are committed to ensuring Canada’s economy operates with maximum fairness, and protects the interests of individuals who must deal with the incredible power of large corporations," Clancy says. "That is why we are completely opposed to attempts by the Conservatives to deny Canada’s farmers the market protection they have had for decades through the CWB." NUPGE

More information:
? Campaign grows to prevent Harper from killing wheat board
? Wheat board ultimatum sends ominous message
? Canadian Wheat Board has been a Tory target for 20 years
? NUPGE support for wheat board applauded by Goodale
? Manitoba farmers voice strong support for wheat board
? Harper Conservatives fire Canadian Wheat Board president
? NUPGE joins campaign to save the Canadian Wheat Board
? Why workers everywhere should support the Canadian Wheat Board