Canadian Wheat Board gone

[Derek 2.0]

What other avenues? Name me some. We could have done the same thing by making the old CWB into a public company and opened it up to competition. Instead we sold it lock stock and barrel to a foreign conglomerate. Couldn't even be bothered to try and keep it Canadian based.

The very avenues grain farmers have been selling grain for several years, devoid of the CWB.........or what Ontario and Quebec farmers use.

[Wilber]

The very avenues grain farmers have been selling grain for several years, devoid of the CWB.........or what Ontario and Quebec farmers use.

Really, who's infrastructure do they have to use? Do they have their own elevators and terminals?

Then feel free to invest as you like, you have choice, unlike Western grain farmers under the previous CWB.

I do but it seems you and this government would rather have Canadians investing in foreign multinationals than in their own country. We didn't need to hand over control of our grain marketing to other countries in order to give our farmers a choice.

No, the new CWB is now owned by a global company with operations and trade deals/supply networks in over 40 countries.

A company that now controls marketing Canadian wheat and barley. Hell, if that's the case let's give them control over marketing all our food? Why stop there, make it all the world's food.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Wilber

[Derek 2.0]

Really, who's infrastructure do they have to use? Do they have their own elevators and terminals?

Why does it mater? Pipelines, tanker cars and terminals are utilized by numerous oil companies.......likewise, container ports/ships/trains/trucks etc

I do but it seems you and this government would rather have Canadians investing in foreign multinationals than in their own country. We didn't need to hand over control of our grain marketing to other countries in order to give our farmers a choice.

No, I don't care what you do with your money........an investment portfolio devoid of foreign companies would be rather meek.

A company that now controls marketing Canadian wheat and barley. Hell, if that's the case let's give them control over marketing all our food? Why stop there, make it all the world's food.

They don't control marketing of Canadian wheat and barley, only their clients wheat and barley...........you're confusing the purpose of the former CWB.

[Wilber]

Why does it mater? Pipelines, tanker cars and terminals are utilized by numerous oil companies.......likewise, container ports/ships/trains/trucks etc

Rogers, Telus and Bell own the cellular networks in this country. Anyone going into competition with them must use their infrastructure or build their own, so those three companies can control their competitors costs. I'll ask you again, why do you think Bunge is spending $250 M on this, because they like us?

No, I don't care what you do with your money........an investment portfolio devoid of foreign companies would be rather meek.

This isn't about my portfolio, it's about government not letting Canadians invest in companies they already own, flogging them to foreign multinationals and forcing Canadians to buy shares in those companies and all their other operations in order to participate in their own economy.

They don't control marketing of Canadian wheat and barley, only their clients wheat and barley...........you're confusing the purpose of the former CWB.

They do, Canadian farmers are already free to compete in other crops.

[Derek 2.0]

Rogers, Telus and Bell own the cellular networks in this country. Anyone going into competition with them must use their infrastructure or build their own, so those three companies can control their competitors costs. I'll ask you again, why do you think Bunge is spending $250 M on this, because they like us?

Yet their competitors, due to lower overhead, are just as competitive in urban markets............

As to Bunge's purchase, the answer is still the same as the last several times you've asked it.

This isn't about my portfolio, it's about government not letting Canadians invest in companies they already own, flogging them to foreign multinationals and forcing Canadians to buy shares in those companies and all their other operations in order to participate in their own economy.

The Canadian Government is barring investment in Bunge ltd or the other, cited for you, companies (some Canadian) already in industry? That's news........I don't suppose you have a source?

They do, Canadian farmers are already free to compete in other crops.

No, G3/Bunge Ltd, the former CWB, does not control marketing of Western Canadian grain.........as already cited for you.

Years past, the CWB did control marketing, likewise decided how much and what types of crops Western farmers could grow.......

[Bob Macadoo]

Yet their competitors, due to lower overhead, are just as competitive in urban markets............

They are mandated carriage over the infrastructure we helped build........are competitors mandated use of rail cars.....terminals?

[Smallc]

They are mandated carriage over the infrastructure we helped build

And that they have now paid for.

[On Guard for Thee]

I wonder why they kept all the financial records pertaining to the CWB under wraps in this deal. Of course it now being a private company they can remain so.

[jacee]

This just arrived in my inbox:

_____________________________|

Stephen Harper just completed the biggest transfer of wealth away from Canadian farmers in history, with the sale of the profitable Canadian Wheat Board to a faceless, multinational corporation.

Farming is in this country's bones. Tell Harper to reverse this sale and save the Wheat Board.

The Harper government has given away the Canadian Wheat Board to an American and Saudi Arabian-owned corporation.

The Wheat Board has empowered generations of farmers to earn the best price for their grain -- and its stood tall as the biggest supporter of Canadian-grown wheat.

This is a sweet deal for the new joint venture, Global Grain Group (G3), which gets the Wheat Board and all its assets -- valued as much as $17 billion -- for free, as long as it makes a $250 million investment in the organization. To add insult to injury, just last year a group of Canadian farmers tried to buy the Wheat Board assets for more than what the company is "buying" it for now, but were refused.

It's time to stand up for Canadian farmers. Save the Wheat Board and reverse this sale.

So much of this story that is heartbreaking. The Wheat Board has led the fight against Monsanto and other GMO corporations trying to undermine our food security. Now that resistance has been gutted.

Around 50,000 Canadians make their living farming wheat. And now those livelihoods are in peril -- Canadian farmers have lost more than $7 billion in less than three years because of supply chain logistics that no longer favour farmers. The historic institution -- formed by farmers for farmers -- is now miles away from its original purpose.

With a federal election coming up in the fall, this is a real opportunity for us to make sure that whoever governs Canada for the next four years will stand up for farmers. To make this an election issue, we need to send a strong message to MPs that we want a government that will stand with Canadian farmers.

Farming is in this country's bones. Its worth fighting for. Here at SumOfUs weve consistently stood up to make sure private corporations dont control our food supply. Earlier this year, we presented the very first SumOfUs shareholder resolution against Monsanto to moderate the companys harmful business practices, such as suing small-scale farmers and governments to protect its seed patents. And this time, we need to stand up to protect our Wheat Board.

Join us in defending one of Canada's oldest democratic institutions.

Save the Wheat Board now.

___________________|

[GostHacked]

The former CWB will still be headquartered in Canada (Winnipeg)........but I don't understand your desire for a fictional Canadian company? Who cares if its Canadian, American, Saudi or Outer Mongolian?

As an investor, I personally would rather invest in a global company, with existing trade deals and influence in over 40 countries than a fictional company limited to several Canadian provinces.........

I would give a shit if it was Saudi owned. And I should not have to explain why.

Edited April 25, 2015 by GostHacked

[Derek 2.0]

I would give a shit if it was Saudi owned. And I should not have to explain why.

You have no reason compelling you to explain why...........but its kinda counter to the point of a discussion forum.......meanwhile, the Saudis still have/had interests (and will continue to) in such North American companies as Twitter, Apple, eBay, Time Warner/CNN, Pepsi and Coke, Ford, the Four Seasons and Fairmont Hotel chains, McDonalds, Ford, Disney, Procter & Gamble, Motorola.... etc....etc...etc.......Owning a portion of the former Canadian Wheat Board, is no different.

[GostHacked]

You have no reason compelling you to explain why...........but its kinda counter to the point of a discussion forum.......meanwhile, the Saudis still have/had interests (and will continue to) in such North American companies as Twitter, Apple, eBay, Time Warner/CNN, Pepsi and Coke, Ford, the Four Seasons and Fairmont Hotel chains, McDonalds, Ford, Disney, Procter & Gamble, Motorola.... etc....etc...etc.......Owning a portion of the former Canadian Wheat Board, is no different.

So you are happy to do business with a country that exports terrorism putting our safety at risk?

[Derek 2.0]

So you are happy to do business with a country that exports terrorism putting our safety at risk?

I look at the forest for the trees........

[GostHacked]

I look at the forest for the trees........

Meaning you can ignore some crimes if you happen to benefit from it.

[On Guard for Thee]

I wonder how much that garage sale contributed to the so called balanced budget...

[DiazJenkins]

What is wheat board ?

[Michael Hardner]

What is wheat board ?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Wheat_Board

It was established as the single buyer of all Canadian Wheat, then had its power reduced in 2011:

" a mandatory producer marketing system for wheat and barley in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and a small part of British Columbia. It was illegal for any farmer in areas under the CWB's jurisdiction to sell their wheat and barley through any other channel than the CWB. Although often called a monopoly, it was at times called a monopsony since it was the only buyer of wheat and barley. However, it was neither. There was no evidence of monopolistic or monopsonistic behaviour (raising or lowering prices for its own benefit) by the CWB. It was a marketing agency acting on behalf of Western Canadian farmers, passing all profits from its operation back to farmers. It's market power over wheat and barley marketing was referred to as the "Single Desk"."

[Topaz]

Have any of you noticed the rotten changes of taste to our bread? I use to buy Wonder Bread but its taste is crappy and I'm wondering if its GM's they done to wheat?

[cannuck]

No, I have not noticed any change in the taste of bread, nor has my food scientist daughter reported any change to that commodity at all.

Some of the posters (a long time ago) seemed to think the wheat board owned the whole infrastructure, it had 7 elevators and a couple of port terminals (there are mor than a THOUSAND elevators in Western Canada). Pure BS. Most elevators were owned by private companies, as were most of the lakers, terminals, rail cars, etc. The $17 Bn figure is the "goodwill" that the die-hard socialists claim in a ridiculous lawsuit that did not get off of the ground.

If you (obviously mostly city folk) think the Wheat Board was a good deal, maybe you should know what it was really like. If a prairie farmer (note: this was just as the Crow Rate part of how Ottawa did its level best for decades to screw the West out of having any value added business) took some of the wheat that he grew on his farm, milled it in the garage and took it into the kitchen and baked some bread to feed his family - he had committed and offence for which he could be jailed. Think that is not possible?

Well, a SK farmer named Andy McMechan grew some seven row barley, as he also did on his US farm. The same government financed his farm and demanded a payment, but our dear government would not call a quota for seven row barley, so the CWB would not pay him for his crop. Being as his back was against the wall, Andy took his barley down to his other farm in the US and sold it there. When he came back, Canada Customs (as it was then called) seized his tractor/trailer unit, but Andy simply climbed in and drove home. He was charged with an offense under the customs act based on violating what the crown claimed was anther offense under the Wheat Board Act. Well, to begin with, you can not be charged with an offense under one act for an offense that occurred under another act. But, let's not let silly things such as the law get in the way. (http://www.farmersforjustice.com/)

To make a very long story short: it was clearly proved in court that the wheat board act was extended in '51 or '52 (I can't remember which) to include oats and barley, but by order in council (that expires in one year). That order in council was never re-issued - thus every transaction done for wheat and barley ever since was invalid. Further, the OIC was for pooling and licensing for export, it did not EVER include the section of the act under which penalties were covered.

In his summation, Mr. Justice Ross Whimmer said that: " I can find nothing whatsoever that would compel a farmer to seek a license to export his barley under the Wheat Board Act" - but went on to convict and jail Mr. McMechan for violation of a customs charge that was based on an action that he had ruled was not illegal at all.

If you ever think we have rule of law in this country, think again. The Wheat Board was right in the middle of this kind of complete disregard for due process, justice, citizen's and human rights - cheered on by none other than leader of the pack: Ralph Goodale.

The infrastructure to trade all kinds of grain have been in place forever. Wheat is no longer a big crop out here (thanks to the endless screw ups of the CWB - who were essentially in business to rob prairie farmers without offending farmers in vote rich BC, ON and PQ to prop up the rail lobby and longshoremen. Yes, the Marxist farmers just LOVED the CWB, but few others had any real tolerance for the BS. HOWEVER: reality is that the far left types were mostly hobby farmers and had a LOT of CWB votes, but by the time this was playing out, anyone who was genuinely in the farm business out here was farming several SECTIONS - with only one vote. The CWB would have been burried long before if Goodale and friends had not blocked the one acre, one vote proposal. THAT would have been representative democracy, not the the one man, one vote that prolonged the agony while Ottawa continued to play politics of food (yet another story).

Edited September 13, 2015 by cannuck

[Michael Hardner]

If you (obviously mostly city folk) think the Wheat Board was a good deal, maybe you should know what it was really like. If a prairie farmer (note: this was just as the Crow Rate part of how Ottawa did its level best for decades to screw the West out of having any value added business) took some of the wheat that he grew on his farm, milled it in the garage and took it into the kitchen and baked some bread to feed his family - he had committed and offence for which he could be jailed. Think that is not possible?

I find it odd that you put that point together among your first arguments. Is this the main problem with the old CWB ? Were a lot of farmers jailed for this offence ? No. If they were, then you'd think you could just amend it slightly to allow for this.

To get me to read your argument, it would have been good to put together a list of plusses and minuses regarding the CWB but you just called out some outlying cases, and some anomalies. I didn't get the information I needed to continue.

[cannuck]

I find it odd that you put that point together among your first arguments. Is this the main problem with the old CWB ? Were a lot of farmers jailed for this offence ? No. If they were, then you'd think you could just amend it slightly to allow for this.

To get me to read your argument, it would have been good to put together a list of plusses and minuses regarding the CWB but you just called out some outlying cases, and some anomalies. I didn't get the information I needed to continue.

There were no pluses to the CWB unless you believe we should be a Marxist economy. Government has NO FRIGGING BUSINESS IN BUSINESS. Every time they do so, they screw up royally, screw up markets and make the whole thing a platform for politicians and bureaucrats to skim cash out of the system and use the business for political purposes.

OUTLIER cases! This was the entire movement that brought down the CWB, it was no "outlier" case.

I can tell that you live in a city without looking at your sig. Canada seen from the depths of Hog Town seems to start Ajax and end at Burlington.

I should probably explain: dependent urban populations are the main driving force that swings politics to the left. I find it particularly troublesome that the country in which I live is so determined to become another Greece. Socialized public services work extremely well - socialized business is a 100% guarantee of failure. We need to learn that (and when I say this, I speak as well to Mr. Harper and his cronies - who pretend to be conservative, but have little idea what that actually means).

Edited September 13, 2015 by cannuck

[Michael Hardner]

There were no pluses to the CWB unless you believe we should be a Marxist economy.

No pluses [sic] ?

Ok, so somehow decades of different governments were able to pull the wool over peoples' eyes over this objectively bad system ?

No. There must have been some good in there for people to like it. If you can't acknowledge that, then you're just an advocate for one side of the issue, and I (having not much information) can't get any useful perspective from you.

I can tell that you live in a city without looking at your sig. Canada seen from the depths of Hog Town seems to start Ajax and end at Burlington.

There are lots of city people who vote. If your viewpoint is correct, ie. that there's a conspiracy to bring this terrible systems to farmers, then perhaps you'd do well to try to explain things to city people rather than dismissing them.

[cannuck]

No pluses [sic] ?

Ok, so somehow decades of different governments were able to pull the wool over peoples' eyes over this objectively bad system ?

No. There must have been some good in there for people to like it. If you can't acknowledge that, then you're just an advocate for one side of the issue, and I (having not much information) can't get any useful perspective from you.

There are lots of city people who vote. If your viewpoint is correct, ie. that there's a conspiracy to bring this terrible systems to farmers, then perhaps you'd do well to try to explain things to city people rather than dismissing them.

No need to pull the wool over your eyes when your head is firmly planted in your rectum. Cities in general, and Eastern cities in particular, have been and no doubt will continue to be totally ignorant regarding the ag economy and history of the West.

Nobody in such places gave a flying purple frick about the CWB or the Crow Rate because you already had all of the value added jobs that came from processing Western grains (and selling them back to us as finished goods) and you really did not understand what the Wheat Board was, what it did and why it did so.

To fill in only one of the tiny blanks, it came about to ensure grain supplies for the troops in WWI and became dromant in 1920. It once more popped up as a VOLUNTARY government grain trader in the 30s as farmers in depression era wanted (needed) more income than grain buyers were paying, so some turned to the taxpayer to bail them out. In 1943 it once more gained monopoly status to ensure adequate supplies to allied troops in Europe/UK. Its sole purpose became pointless with cessation of hostilities.

Yet, the monopoly continued for the next 60 years. I will repeat: unless you believe we need a Marxist economy, there were NO "good" points to the CWB. None. Nada. If you want someone to blow smoke up your ass, call the commies at the NDP and Liberal Party and they will tell you what a wonderful idea it is for them to control every aspect of your life and business - and I am sure you will feel satisfied with such a broad spectrum of "information".

[Michael Hardner]

I acknowledged that I was looking for information, but I completely doubt that something could become law with NO good points at all. It's too bad, as I was interested in hearing what you had to say up until that point.

[Canada_First]

I acknowledged that I was looking for information, but I completely doubt that something could become law with NO good points at all. It's too bad, as I was interested in hearing what you had to say up until that point.

Western farmers were forced to sell wheat through the CWB while eastern farmers were free to find the highest price on the free market.

That should be enough to see how unfair it was.