August 03, 2012
Benoit Marks the Official End of the Canadian Wheat Board
Wednesday marked the fulfilment of a long-standing commitment to Western grain farmers by the Harper Government. Wheat, durum and barley farmers, at long last, have a real choice in how they sell their product through the elimination of the single-desk system. Western farmers now have the same freedom that Eastern farmers have long enjoyed. "Already, we have seen rapid growth in new and expanded value added business in wheat processing. The removal of barriers to getting supplies is the catalyst for this," said Benoit.
The Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, effective August 1st, will benefit all Canadians in many ways, including:
- ending the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board, while assisting it in its transition to a private enterprise;
- providing Western Canadian farmers the ability to sell their wheat, durum and barley to the buyer of their choice, attracting investment and encouraging innovation; and
- creating value-added jobs, spurring growth in the Canadian economy.
This week marked the beginning of a renewed confidence in the Western agricultural sector. Western agriculture, as the backbone of a strong economy, will finally be able to attain its full potential through marketing freedom. "My very first speech in the House of Commons was focused on the importance of ending the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly and giving farmers the freedom to market their commodities as they choose," recalled Benoit. "It has taken a long time and a lot of work and persistence but today farmers have that freedom. This is indeed an important achievement."
Additional information on marketing freedom can be found at www.agr.gc.ca/freedom.
