Canadian Wheat Board

Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) was a marketing board for wheat and barley in Western Canada. Established by the Parliament of Canada on July 5, 1935, the CWB marketed the grain of Western Canadian farmers around the world for over 70 years.

History

The Canadian Wheat Board was established during the Great Depression, when grain prices fell dramatically and farmers were unable to make a profit. The CWB was created to stabilize the wheat market, improve the return to Western farmers, and ensure a reliable supply of quality grain for domestic and export markets.

Role and Function

The CWB was a single-desk seller of Western Canadian wheat and barley destined for export from Canada or for human consumption in Canada. This meant that the CWB was the only entity allowed to sell these grains on behalf of farmers. The CWB's monopoly was a form of supply management, a system used in Canada to stabilize the market and protect farmers from price fluctuations.

Controversy and Dissolution

The CWB's monopoly was controversial. Some farmers and political groups, such as the Conservative Party of Canada, argued that it restricted farmers' freedom to market their grain as they saw fit. Others, including many farmers and the New Democratic Party, defended the CWB, arguing that it ensured a stable and fair price for farmers.

In 2011, the Conservative government passed the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, which ended the CWB's monopoly. The CWB was officially dissolved on July 31, 2015, and its assets were sold to G3 Global Grain Group, a new company formed by Bunge Limited and the Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company.

See Also

• Agriculture in Canada
• Supply management (Canada)
• Grain trade