On October 7, 2011 in Regina, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, Gerry Ritz, announced the end of the Canadian Wheat Board’s (CWB) monopoly on the sale of wheat and barley. For the first time since World War II, Western farmers will be legally permitted to sell their wheat and barley to any buyer they choose. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in calling upon the federal government to allow farmers to sell their products openly, including by ending the CWB monopoly.

The issue
The Canadian Chamber has been calling upon the federal government to 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 would provide all farmers the right to market their own production of wheat and barley to any buyer of their choosing.

What we got for you
The end of the CWB monopoly will increase entrepreneurial freedom and expand market opportunities for Western Canadian wheat and barley farmers by allowing them to sell their grains directly to buyers of their own choice. At the same time, the CWB’s facilities will remain in place for those farmers who find them beneficial and wish to continue using them.

How does this benefit you?
Wheat and barley are important components of Canada’s dynamic agri-food economy, generate significant export revenue and sustain local economies and communities across Western Canada. Ending the CWB monopoly provides new opportunities for farmers who do not wish to use the Board while allowing those farmers who do wish to use it to continue doing so. It is a win-win for farmers, processors and Canadians.

Last week, Minister Ed Fast embarked on a trip to China in order to push the economic partnership between Canada and that East Asian giant forward.

At a time of global economic malaise and given the slow recovery of U.S. demand, it is more important than ever for Canadian businesses to seek new outlets for their products by diversifying their cross-border trade and investment. China, like India, Brazil, Europe and Japan, will be an increasingly important economic partner for Canada going forward. While our country’s trade and investment with China are growing briskly, the access afforded to Canadian goods, services and investment is limited in some areas, and Canadian products continue to face competition on an unlevel playing field there and in third country markets. IP protection is also a concern.

Canadian businesses deliver many products and much expertise that have and will continue to contribute to China’s rapid economic development, and many companies have long been active there. However, we need to better level the playing field and enhance market access for a truly win-win Canada-China economic partnership to emerge.

Minister Fast’s trip to China, just months after a visit by Minister Baird, is an important step forward in the government-to-government dialogue being pursued with Chinese leaders in view of enhancing access to opportunities for Canadian companies. We welcome the announcement of progress on the negotiation of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), which will ensure high standards of protection for investors from both nations upon its conclusion. The Minister has visited cities both on and off the beaten path where a number of successful Canadian businesses are active, to showcase the excellence Canada has to offer.

-Perrin

Today, the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), a U.S. agency that regulates ocean bound shipping decided to begin the process of launching an investigation into the “diversion” of U.S. cargo through Canadian ports.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce issued the following statement:

The Commission has a major task to examine the administration and impact of the U.S. Harbor Maintenance Tax. This is a domestic U.S. issue, and should remain one. Canadian ports and users are required to pay the full cost of the infrastructure they use. The Canadian Chamber will oppose any protectionist measures that will penalise Canadian ports, railways and all cargo carriers and make North America’s freight system more costly.

- Perrin