Hundreds rally downtown to support CWB

[CHIMO]

afternoon.

Grain growers were joined by union representatives, federal and provincial NDP and Liberal politicians, representatives of the Council of Canadians and even members of the Occupy Winnipeg movement in decrying a federal bill before the House of Commons that would destroy the Canadian Wheat Board by ending its wheat and barley sales monopoly.

They are also upset that Ottawa is moving forward with Bill C-18 without a vote among Prairie farmers. The CWB has launched a lawsuit against the government arguing that it broke the law by introducing the legislation without a vote by Prairie farmers.

Canadian author and activist Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians, was the lead speaker at the rally downtown to support the wheat board’s stance against the Harper government.

http://www.brandonsun.com/breaking-news/Barlow-to-speak-at-CWB-rally-march-will-close-part-of-Portage-Avenue-132783148.html?thx=y

Wheat board supporters rally in Winnipeg

Traffic moved slowly in central Winnipeg on Friday as farmers, union members and other supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board marched on the board's downtown offices.

They demonstrated in support of the CWB and against the federal government's move to take away the board's monopoly over wheat and barley marketing.

About 150 farmers gathered at the Red River Exhibition grounds at the western edge of the Manitoba capital before moving downtown in grain trucks and farm equipment to the CWB headquarters on Main Street.

Earlier this week the CWB filed a lawsuit against the federal government over the legislation that aims to open up marketing of western Canadian wheat and barley. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court of Canada, argues Ottawa was legally obliged to consult western Canadian farmers prior to introducing Bill C-18.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/10/28/mb-cwb-rally-support.html
Oct 28, 2011 4:35 PM CT