December Anniversaries
(December 3, 2003 - FFJ) December 4th and 10th mark the anniversary of two
very important days in Canadian history. On December 4th of last
year, the last four Alberta farmers were released from jail, where they
had been incarcerated, serving a sentence imposed on them for violating
the Customs Act. (The charges stemmed from a protest against the CWB
monopoly, but no charges were laid for violating that Act -- only
customs.)
December 10 marks the release of Andrew McMechan from the Manitoba jail
system. His crime? Moving grain to his own farm south of the
border.
A number of farmers across Western Canada have found themselves in the
court system, and even the prison system, for the simple crime of selling
their own grain.
So what has changed in Canada on these anniversaries? Since 1996
the Canadian Wheat Board has begun having elections for farmer
directors. Today, Alberta is working on an "open test
market" for wheat and barley, and the Honourable Paul Martin is
poised to step into the Prime Minister's shoes. Ontario, who
incidentally was never in the Designated Area, has given their farmers a
choice: sell grain through the Ontario Marketing Board or sell it on your
own.
And how is this working for Ontario? Millers, bakeries and other industries
are expanding. Value added is truly booming. Hundreds of millions of
dollars are pouring into Ontario. Companies are moving to that
province -- a waffle company from BC, a snack factory from California --
they are relocating to be close to the grain supply.
Farmers for Justice is celebrating this week - and we want to thank all
of the Western farmers and our supporters. Farmers who have
gone to court, gone through the system, and stood up to they Canadian
Wheat Board monopoly. Your efforts are appreciated, and needed, to
move this country forward.
Justice and freedom for all! |
