Marketing freedom for western farmers, Economic Freedom

Farmers excited as Canadian Wheat Board monopoly comes to an end

By Guest Column Peter Coleman (Bio and Archives)  Wednesday, August 1, 2012 | Print friendly | Subscribe | Email Us

(Aug 1, 2012 - OTTAWA) - Today, the National Citizens Coalition is pleased to celebrate a new era for western Canadian farmers - without the CWB monopoly on grain sales.

“At the NCC, we have worked hard for decades to uphold marketing freedom for western farmers,” says Peter Coleman, President and CEO of the National Citizens Coalition. “Since 1940 these farmers have been denied the freedom to market and sell their own crops - which are their own private property.”

Late last year the federal Conservative government tabled legislation that would bring an end to the Wheat Board’s monopoly today - August 1, 2012 - yet, the Wheat Board itself has not been dismantled.

“For many years the CWB leadership has claimed to provide the best returns possible for farmers - and now they will be put to the test,” adds Coleman. “If farmers still prefer the Wheat Board option, they can continue to use it.”

With the U.S. drought threatening grain supplies, Western farmers have already been signing contracts for significantly improved prices - a feat that was punishable by jailtime under the CWB’s monopoly.

It has been estimated that the inefficient practices of the CWB have deprived western farmers of more than $100-million every year.

“This is a victory for every Canadian that supports economic freedom. We are eager for the federal government to build on this momentum, and continue to remove several more layers of bureaucracy that have become obsolete and intrusive.”

Peter Coleman
President and CEO
National Citizens Coalition
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