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NEWS RELEASE
October 18, 2011	For Immediate Release

Western Canadian wheat and barley farmers will have the freedom to market their grain as they choose through The Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, tabled Oct. 18 by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

“This is good not only for our farmers, but the whole Saskatchewan economy,” said Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville. “This single piece of legislation finally gives Western Canadian grain farmers the right to choose how they sell their own wheat and barley. It opens the grain market and will attract investment, encourage innovation, create value-added jobs, and build a stronger economy for all Canadians.”

The Canadian Wheat Board monopoly was imposed on Western Canadian farmers by Parliament in 1943 when Canada was committed to supplying inexpensive wheat to Britain during World War II. The Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act will remove the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board and give marketing choice to all farmers, returning to farmers the right to market their wheat and barley in the best interest of their individual farms and businesses.

Farmers will have the choice of whether to sell on an open market or through a voluntary CWB. The legislation will allow an interim Canadian Wheat Board to act as a voluntary marketing entity, supported by the federal Government while it transitions to full private ownership. The legislation will also immediately allow farmers and companies to forward contract for the delivery of grain after August 1, 2012.

As part of the ongoing commitment to farmers and the importance of the Port of Churchill as a shipping option, the Harper Government will provide an economic incentive of up to $5 million per year for five years to support shipments of grain, including oilseeds, pulses and special crops, through the Port of Churchill. We will also provide support through funding of up to $4.1 million over three years to maintain the Port during the transition period. In addition, the port infrastructure project presently funded through an agreement with the Churchill Gateway Development Corporation will be extended to 2015. Finally, in consultation with all stakeholders, our Government will explore options for the future of Churchill and the Port of Churchill.

“Tuesday’s announcement delivers on our long-standing promise, made by our government, to give Western Canadian grain farmers marketing freedom,” said Breitkreuz. “This is the same freedom our farmers have when selling their canola or pulses, and the same freedom already realized by Canadian farmers outside of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta.”