Long Live the Canadian Wheat Board!

December 14, 2006 · Posted in Conservatism.ca 

Congratulations to those farmer directors who were elected on a “single-trading desk” platform!

What? Has Paul lost it?

No. (Though, many would argue, “a long time ago.” But that’s a discussion for another day.)

I think it’s time to turn the “single desk” argument on its head. Here we have a substantial number of independent directors elected by farmers in an effort to keep the single desk. What does that tell us about these farmers?

Well, it tells us that many, many farmers really like the CWB!

That bodes well for the future of the CWB after farmers rights to sell their own products are restored. It means that these committed farmers will continue to sell their wheat through the CWB (because they like it so much).

The major argument, therefore, that it would be the end of the CWB if the single desk is dumped seems to be disproven by the farmers themselves in this latest election.

So, thank you single-desk candidates. Through your success, you have nullified the best argument against deregulating your industry.

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Comments

  • CalgarySWTory

    If the Canadian Wheat Board is supported by so many western farmers then it should have no trouble thriving as one of the “choices” farmers have to market the grain that belongs to them. Surely these vote results weaken the argument that allowing choice in marketing will seriously hurt, or even destroy the Canadian Wheat Board. If it’s so wonderful to have it in its present form (as a monopoly) then why aren’t farmers from the rest of Canada screaming to be part of it and complaining about being treated less fairly than western farmers?

  • Tony

    I agree. For the liberals and their supporters is it ok for farmers in Ontario and Quebec to be able to sell their wheat anywhere on the open market, but not ok for farmers in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba to do the same.

    I guess that to them, “All farmers are equal, but some farmers are more equal than others”