Farmers Incarcerated for Violating Policy

(October 30, 2002 - FFJ)    In April and July 1996 two protests were held in Alberta to bring to public attention the discrimination western farmers are facing at the hands of the Canadian Wheat Board and the federal government.  The result of these protests are about to come to stark reality for a dozen Alberta farmers.

 

Charged in 1996 with Failure to Report in Writing, Failure to Provide Canadian Wheat Board Export License to the Chief Officer of Customs and Failure to Place Seized Vehicles in the Custody of Custom Officers, the Alberta farmers will turn themselves over to police at noon on October 31.  These men were the last to protest the unfair treatment of western grain farmers, but were the first to go through the judicial system.

 

It was expected that the issue of fair treatment would be dealt with in the court room, the CWB on one side, the Alberta farmers on the other.  In the end, it was Canada Customs and Revenue, NOT the CWB that went forward with charges.  And only those farmers who crossed with vehicles were charged.

 

All Canadian farmers require an export license, but only Western farmers are required to go through the "buy-back" process.  There is no legislative requirement forcing western farmers to do this - only CWB policy.  "Farmers should not be incarcerated for simply violating policy."

 

And that was the point the Alberta farmers were trying to make.  When the protests first began in 1996, the CWB was made up of 3 commissioners and an elected advisory committee.  Now, 6 years and countless challenges and protests later, the CWB is now a Board of Directors made up 15 members, 5 of which are appointed by the Minister responsible for the Wheat Board, the balance being elected by the group it is meant to serve - the farmers.

 

But on a cold fall day in Lethbridge, Alberta, that small victory will be of little consolation to the group of men who are facing up to 170+ days behind bars, found guilty on the charge of Failing to Place Seized Vehicles in the Custody of Customs Officers.

 

"We live in a democratic country and are still forced in the western prairies to use only the CWB Monopoly.  Farmers in every other part of the country are not.  We aren't asking for special treatment - just equal treatment.  It shouldn't even be a question."

 

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For More Information Contact:
Colleen Bianchi 403-344-4473
Ron Duffy 403-885-5190