Canadian Wheat Board

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The Canadian Wheat Board hopper car

Triticum durum

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Grain elevator in Wrentham Alberta

== Canadian Wheat Board ==

The Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) was a marketing board for wheat and barley in Western Canada. Established in 1935, the CWB was a government agency that controlled the sale and distribution of wheat and barley produced by farmers in the Prairie Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, as well as the Peace River region of British Columbia.

History

The CWB was created during the Great Depression to stabilize wheat prices and ensure fair returns for farmers. Initially, it operated as a voluntary cooperative, but in 1943, it became a mandatory single-desk seller, meaning that all wheat and barley produced in Western Canada had to be sold through the CWB.

Operations

The CWB was responsible for marketing and selling wheat and barley on behalf of Canadian farmers. It negotiated prices, handled transportation logistics, and managed the sale of grain to both domestic and international markets. The CWB also provided pooling services, which allowed farmers to receive average prices for their grain over a period of time, rather than being subject to market fluctuations.

Controversy and Dissolution

The CWB was a subject of controversy, with some farmers and political groups arguing that it restricted market freedom and others supporting it for providing price stability and collective bargaining power. In 2011, the Government of Canada passed legislation to end the CWB's monopoly, allowing farmers to sell their grain independently. The CWB was officially dissolved in 2017.

Legacy

The dissolution of the CWB marked a significant shift in the Canadian agricultural landscape. While some farmers welcomed the increased market freedom, others expressed concerns about the loss of collective bargaining power and price stability. The CWB's legacy continues to be a topic of debate among Canadian farmers and policymakers.

Related Pages

• Wheat
• Barley
• Marketing board
• Great Depression
• Prairie Provinces
• Government of Canada