December 4, 2006

Dear activists,

The Council of Canadians' "Crossing the Line: A Citizens' Inquiry on Canada-U.S. Relations" recommended that, "The Government of Canada should maintain the Canadian Wheat Board and supply-management mechanisms that support family farms, protecting them from the prejudiced impact of international trade agreements."

Inside U.S. Trade reported on October 27 that, "The U.S. government for years through the WTO has tried to eliminate the monopoly powers of the CWB, which it argues gives Canadian wheat growers the ability to underprice U.S. growers...(the CWB has argued in response) that the monopoly allows the CWB to pass along a premium to farmers that would otherwise go to a small handful of agribusiness corporations."

Not surprisingly, the corporate lobby group backers of the deep integration agenda, including the C.D. Howe Institute and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, have also been very critical of the Canadian Wheat Board.

As reported by the Winnipeg Free Press on November 30, "The Harper government has told Canadian Wheat Board president and CEO Adrian Measner that he will be fired unless he assures Ottawa he will support marketing choice for wheat and barley farmers."

The Globe and Mail reported on December 1 that, "Mr. Measner, who has worked at the wheat board for 30 years, has publicly opposed the government's plan to create an open market for wheat in Western Canada...A spokesman for Mr. Strahl said the government needs to be confident that the board's appointed directors will support its plans."

In response the Board of Directors of The Canadian Wheat Board have, "forwarded a resolution to the Hon. Chuck Strahl, Minister responsible for the CWB, expressing our support for the retention of our President and CEO, Adrian Measner."

In addition, the National Farmers Union has a "Save the CWB Campaign" which has set as a goal that "each and every Member of Parliament in Ottawa will receive 1,000 from farmers who support a strong Canadian Wheat Board..."

ACTION
Chapter activists are encouraged to support the Canadian Wheat Board by sending the following message to Chuck Strahl, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, at Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca stating:

"As a member of the Council of Canadians, I believe that the Government of Canada should maintain the Canadian Wheat Board and supply-management mechanisms that support family farms, protecting them from the prejudiced impact of international trade agreements. Canadian farmers have not reaped the benefits of free trade that were promised to them. Since the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement came into effect in 1989, exports have doubled but Canadian farmers have seen their net income drop by 24 per cent. As the deregulation of agriculture increases and U.S. and Canadian standards meld, independent farmers will suffer even more. While the U.S. government may want you to eliminate the monopoly powers of the Canadian Wheat Board, we support the CWB and its ability to pass along a premium to farmers that would otherwise go to a small handful of agribusiness corporations. As the Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board you should defend this valued Canadian institution, not undermine it."