Ag Minister Meets CFFJ
(October 28, 2003 - FFJ) On October 28, 2003,
Ag Minister Shirley McLennan, along with Premier Ralph Klein, met with Ron
Hierath and Ike Lanier. The meeting was very positive.
The Premier and Ag Minister both stated that the provincial government
will proceed with an amended version of the Test Market Act for wheat and
barley. It would proceed through the legislature and become Alberta
law. Almost immediately after we would launch a serious Charter
(judicial) challenge against the monopoly of the CWB.
The good news is, at the end of the day, Alberta farmers would then be
able to sell their wheat and barley outside the monopoly of the CWB.
Mr. Lanier was one of the 13 Alberta farmers jailed last fall in
protest of the CWB monopoly. Even though the CWB charges were
dropped and most of the ascertain forfeitures were refunded; farmers still
had to serve time, pay heavy fines, or both, thanks to Canada Customs who
took over the prosecution of these farmers while the CWB watched. It
makes you wonder about the justice system in this country as we
pause for a moment and reflect one year later.
A large majority of Alberta farmers continue to seek parity with the
rest of the nation. Ontario gave their farmers marketing choice just
his past year, and it has been very well received.
"We are demanding and expecting the same opportunity soon!
Having the provincial government firmly committed to this campaign is
significant encouragement to all 13 of us who were incarcerated,"
added Mr. Lanier. There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel,
and that new opportunities will finally flow for Alberta farmers in the
not too distant future!" |
