Planet in Peril (PinP) where science gets respect!

CBC News PinP photo. A meeting of Prairie farmers has called for the return of a single-desk system for grain marketing. Story here.

        Sum            of         + us It's time to stand up for Canadian farmers. Let's save the Wheat Board. Please sign the petition!

National Farmers Union Bringing in the wheat. Larry Powell PinP photo. (Deleau, MB) - The NFU is urging the governments of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC to become actively engaged in the federal government’s plan to dispose of the farmer-paid Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) assets. Story here.

The Globe and Mail An historic row of wooden grain elevators, restored to their past glory in Inglis, Manitoba - for tourists.  Larry Powell PinP photo. E xhilaration soon turned to dismay as farmers tried to capitalize on their good fortune. Canada produces the best wheat in the world, and the 2013 harvest was potentially worth between $6 billion and $9 billion on the open market. But when it came to buying the wheat and delivering it overseas, the privatized marketing chain seemed paralyzed with incompetence. Story here.

The Co-Operator The grain firm formerly known as the Canadian Wheat Board wants it known the company’s looking for an industry partner, not a new owner — and not just any partner. Story here. Related: "Canadian Wheat Board Prepares for Corporate Takeover."

CBC News Wheat field. Larry Powell  PinP  photo. Foreign multinational could assume control without reimbursing Canadian farmers, taxpayers. Story here.

Manitoba Co-Operator Buyers of Canadian wheat are increasingly complaining about quality ever since Ottawa changed how its biggest crop is sold and inspected, raising the risk the world’s third largest exporter will lose sales to rivals such as the U.S. Details here.

Manitoba Co-Operator PinP photo. The Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board suspects the report is too politically sensitive to be made public. Story here.

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives There is a direct correlation between the loss of the farmer-elected Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and the current rail transportation boondoggle. Details here.

Council of Canadians Oil pipe awaiting allocation on the CN line in Manitoba. PLT photo. Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow Tweeted these questions this week. "Were western farmers sacrificed so that Big Oil could take over the trains? Is that why Harper killed the Wheat Board?" Details here.

                                 Canadian Wheat Board Alliance PinP photo    www.cwbfacts.ca      (Pelly, Sk., March 3, 2014)   The Canadian Wheat Board Alliance is inviting farmers to a public meeting, Sunday, March 9 th , one PM, at the Elks Hall in Raymore, Saskatchewan. 

The Manitoba Co-Operator Top court's decision won't affect plans for class-action: Details here. Wheat Board supporters demonstrate at  "Occupy Winnipeg" Oct. 2011. PLT photo.

By: Steve Rennie, The Canadian Press May 23  - '12   PLT photo OTTAWA - The latest chapter in the long and bitter saga of the Canadian Wheat Board played out Wednesday in the Federal Court of Appeal. Full story here.

Bill Redekop - Winnipeg Free Press 02/25/2012 PLT photo Roving rural columnist finds Harper's decision to dismantle the wheat board goes against the grain for many Manitoba farmers. Details here.

Canadian Press - 02/15/2012 WINNIPEG - Supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board have launched yet another court challenge. The Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board filed Tuesday a class-action lawsuit in Federal Court asking the court to restore the board and give farmers $17 billion in damages. Details here.

By John W. Warnock, The Leader-Post December 31, 2011 The Harper government has quickly pushed through legislation abolishing the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) single desk. This was done without... Combine in wheat field. PLT photo

Wheat.  It is the most important cereal grain in the world and, along with fur trapping and the railroad, it made Canada. We are one of the largest wheat exporters on the planet, about 19 thousand tons a year, more than any other crop. There are some 75,000 farmers across the Prairies who make their livelihood from it. And to sell their wheat, they have depended for generations on the Canadian Wheat Board.   The Wheat Board, as we know it today, was established in 1935 to control prices, so as to benefit farmers in the Great Depression. Now, however, the Wheat Board could be gone by Christmas. The Conservative government has been promising to get rid of it for years, and with its majority in parliament, is making good on that promise. It's hard to say what it will mean to farmers and the rest of us. If anybody has an idea, it is John Herd Thompson, who has documented the history of the Wheat Board. Winnipeg born-and-bred, he earned his PhD at Queen's University a

PLT: At least one Tory MP is actually threatening legal action against a retired Alberta farmer, Norm Dyck, who had the audacity to write a letter-to-the-editor, criticizing the government for its attempts to kill the What Board.  1) First, Mr. Dyck's brief note,  2) his explanation of what happened, 3) his actual letter 4) and a PLT comment! =========== 1) Friends of the CWB:   I have already spoken to my friend and former farmer neighbor Art Macklin so he knows of my 'offensive' letter and approves of this circulation action.  Please forward to any individuals who are concerned re the threat to Democracy by actions of the Harper Government.  Thanks  ======== 2) Yesterday my Federal MP Chris Warkentin Peace River,  while meeting with him in his office in Grande Prairie accompanied by two members of Kairos, while I was speaking on the subject of the CWB was less than receptive to any input on this topic.  Input specifically as to the requiremen