Critics say Canadian Wheat Board Conference in Calgary an 'Expensive Party'
John Cotter
Canadian Press
(January 6, 2005 - CP) - The Canadian Wheat Board is treating its
supporters to a pricey junket at an upscale hotel at a time when many
Prairie farmers are struggling to survive, critics say.
More than 160 farmers accepted invitations from the board to attend the
all-expenses-paid, three-day conference this week at Calgary's Hyatt
Regency Hotel.
An agenda suggests that along with a banquet and receptions, the
conference includes speeches on topics such as: The Year Ahead for Grain
Producers and The CWB - Present and Future.
"It is just an expensive party for their friends," Ron Duffy
said Tuesday from his farm near Lacombe in central Alberta.
"A lot of the farmers in Western Canada - due to drought,
grasshoppers, mad cow disease - they could barely afford Christmas for
their kids never mind these extravagant expenses the wheat board is
running up."
The board controls the sale of wheat and barley in Western Canada.
Supporters of the agency say having a single desk selling Canada's grain
to high-value markets is better than having numerous sellers trying to
undercut each other.
But some producers, especially in Alberta, oppose the board's monopoly and
want the freedom to market their own crops.
The budget for the conference, which is closed to the media, was not
available, said David Elias, a wheat board communications officer.
A standard room at the Hyatt is $229 per night.
The wheat board is also covering the cost of plane tickets, meals and
other travel expenses for farmers, board directors and agency staff, he
said.
"We can assure you the money is not being wasted," Elias said
from Winnipeg.
"The Canadian Wheat Board directors and management have determined
the cost of the conference will be more than offset by the benefit of
being able to engage farmers on these important issues."
According to Statistics Canada, Canadian farmers saw their net cash income
shrink in 2003 to the lowest level in more than 25 years. It fell by more
than 72 per cent in Alberta, more than 69 per cent in Saskatchewan and
more than 51 per cent in Manitoba.
Jim Chatenay, one of the board's 10 elected directors, was attending the
meeting. There are five other directors appointed by Ottawa.
Chatenay, who believes farmers should have the freedom to sell their own
grain, said the vast majority of people at the conference support the
board's monopoly.
"It is a big promotion to try and convince the people here that the
board has a great future," he said.
"The problem I have is it is a selected group of people, of which
most who were invited are single-desk supporters."
Other events at the conference include speeches on the World Trade
Organization and market development.
There are also question-answer sessions with trade experts and wheat board
officials.
John Turcato, a grain farmer from Taber, Alta., was also angry about the
conference.
"Agriculture is in real trouble," he said. "To spend all
this money that should be going to the farmers I think is
ridiculous." |
