Give farmers a carbon tax break after ‘harvest from hell’: Green Party agriculture critic
If the carbon tax is designed to change behaviour and move people toward less carbon-intensive activities, it’s not going to be effective for grain-drying because propane or natural gas are the only two options, said Gunter Jochum, president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers.
Liberal cabinet to talk Western priorities in Winnipeg retreat
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his inner circle are on a three-day retreat in Winnipeg, where Western alienation is a hot topic. As Abigail Bimman reports, Trudeau and his cabinet are focusing on building bridges in provinces where they have plenty of political enemies.
Western Canadian Wheat Growers Chair optimistic about 2020
The chair of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers has some optimism for farming in Saskatchewan in 2020. Jim Wickett said last year was a memorable year, and one most farmers would like to forget because of weather and market difficulties.
Every Canadian province — including Alberta — now has a carbon tax. But the ‘pure politics’ battle isn’t over
But as president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Jochum says he wants to see the tax program change in a way that shifts the burden from farmers. On Nov. 20, the association launched its “NoFarmCarbonTax” petition, asking the federal government to eliminate the carbon tax on farm-related gas use.
Year In Review #19: CN Rail Strike, Bad Harvest
Jim Wickett is chair of the Wheat Growers, and farms near Rosetown. He said the strike eliminated more than 50 percent of rail shipping, including finished products such as canola oil and fertilizer. "The CN system is shut down right now for freight," said Wickett. "So if you're on a CN line you're not going [...]
Western Canadian Wheat Growers Disappointed In Federal Government’s Lack Of Action
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers are disappointed in the lack of action coming out of this week’s Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers Meeting. A release from the Wheat Growers says this week’s communiqué from the Ag Ministers meeting shows a federal government that is completely out of touch with grain farmers and the challenges […]
Farmers support new North American trade pact
The chair of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Jim Wickett, says the trade deal is important to ensure stability for marketing Saskatchewan farm products. Wickett says the U.S. exports about 50 thousand tons of grain to Canada, but purchases 5 million tons from Canada.
Against the grain: For Prairie farmers, carbon tax shows how little Ottawa understands their industry
Compromise required for national unity
Prairie-based producer groups already have relationships with federal departments that skirt provincial jurisdiction, and the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association recently asked the federal government for a carbon tax exemption for grain drying.
Carbon tax a grain-drying mystery
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association has sent a letter to Canada’s federal agriculture and environment ministers lamenting the extra financial burden caused by the tax. “We get calls every day from irate farmers,” said association president Gunter Jochum.
Grain Growers Anxious to see Crops Moving
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers (WCWG) are pleased that CN Rail and the Teamsters have come to a tentative agreement and that the grain can now move to market. “Our global markets depend on the timely shipping of our products. It is imperative that we are able to meet our contractual obligations,” said Gunter Jochum, President [...]
Grain groups seek ‘essential service’ status for rail
“While we’re grateful that the parties have come to an agreement, the federal government needs to take steps to ensure that grain farmers are not held ransom in the future. Rail service should be deemed an essential service,” Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel, a Saskatchewan director with the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, said Tuesday.