Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz speaks to the media on the eve of marketing freedom for Western Canadian wheat, durum and barley growers at a press conference in Saskatoon, Sask., Tuesday, July 31, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam Richards
August 01, 2012 - 4:00 AM
KINDERSLEY, Sask. - The Conservative government is celebrating what it hails as marketing freedom day for western Canadian farmers.
The Canadian Wheat Board's decades-long monopoly on western wheat and barley sales has come to an end.
That means western farmers can sell their grain to whomever they choose, whenever they choose.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz plan to celebrate today at a farm in Saskatchewan.
But New Democrat Pat Martin says the Conservatives are gloating about killing what he calls the most successful grain marketing company in the world.
Liberal Ralph Goodale says an independent organization should monitor what happens in the marketplace to see if farmers are better or worse off.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012