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Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada News Release CWB DIRECTED TO REFRAIN FROM SPENDING MONIES FOR ADVOCACY OTTAWA, Ontario – The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), today issued the following statement regarding a direction issued by the Governor in Council to the CWB to refrain from spending funds to advocate for the retention of its monopoly powers. “Canada’s New Government wants to provide greater freedom of marketing choice for Western Canadian grain farmers, allow them to maximize their returns, and preserve a strong, voluntary and viable CWB. “The CWB reports to Parliament through me, and should not be attempting to undermine this government’s policy objectives. “Farmers should be debating the future of the CWB, and I’m always interested in hearing from farmers. However, the CWB should use its resources and energy to market grain for farmers. I would encourage them to do that. No funds should be used to advocate for the retention of its monopoly powers.” This direction is given under Section 18 of the Canadian Wheat Board Act and will be published in the Canada Gazette on October 18. The order specifies that the CWB shall not expend funds, directly or indirectly, advocating the retention of its monopoly powers, including the expenditure of funds for advertising, publishing or market research. However, it will not prevent the CWB from spending funds to carry out its objective of marketing grain in an orderly manner, nor does it infringe on the rights of individuals to make public statements. For more information on marketing choice, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/cwb. -30- |