Dear Editor:
In his Letter to the Editor in the March 1,2017 edition of this paper, Eric Sagan mentions that the “Chamber of Commerce” and other “commercial groups” could not see that the province would lose revenue with the dismantling of the Canadian Wheat Board and that in fact “they” were promoting its (the Canadian Wheat Board’s) destruction.
The Board of Directors of the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce points out that some of Mr. Sagan’s statements are misleading. It is true that in 2010 the Canadian Chamber of Commerce adopted a resolution with the following recommendation:
Amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act to provide Western Canadian farmers and value-added processors the voluntary option to participate in the Canadian Wheat Board. This amendment would give all farmers the right to market their own production of wheat and barley to any buyer they choose.
At a Policy Committee Meeting in 2011, the Yorkton Chamber agreed that it would not take a stand on the CWB but would host a forum so that both sides of the debate could be heard. On October 26, 2011 the Yorkton Chamber held an open public Forum for both sides of the debate to share their views on the CWB. This was a well attended event.
The Yorkton Chamber of Commerce is well aware of the tremendous contribution the agriculture industry makes to the local economy. When the agriculture sector prospers, we all prosper.
Sincerely,
Brent Murdock.
Chamber of Commerce President
