To the Editor:
Like Western Canadian farmers, our Government was disappointed with the December 7 Federal Court declaration. We disagree with the declaration and on behalf of western grain farmers, we have filed an appeal.
Let me be clear, this declaration will not deter our Government from giving Western Canadian farmers grain marketing freedom.
As Judge Campbell said in this declaration, "the Applicants make it clear that their Applications are no threat to the Sovereignty of Parliament to pass legislation." Mr. Oberg's own lawyer said that the best they can hope for is for the Government to "reconsider". Unlike the Liberal Party who would rather jail farmers for marketing their own grain, our Government will never reconsider returning to farmers their right to market their own crop.
Our Government has consulted extensively and developed a comprehensive plan that affords Western Canadian grain farmers with marketing freedom while providing the Canadian Wheat Board with the assistance it needs to be a viable, voluntary option. Bill C-18 has wide support from farmers, industry and farm groups including the Western Canadian Wheat Growers, Western Barley Growers Association, Grain Growers of Canada, Western Grain Elevators Association, and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
In addition, three out of four provinces that produce up to 90 per cent of the wheat and barley sold under the CWB's jurisdiction support this legislation. While the opposition only cares to defend overbearing monopolies and big city unions, our Government stands with our farmers.
Western Canadian grain farmers can be confident that our Government will see this job through to the end and deliver on our long-standing promise to give them the marketing freedom they want and deserve.
Agriculture Minister, Gerry Ritz.
