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Supporters of the CWB's single desk staged a rally at the board's head office in downtown Winnipeg on Friday (Photo: Kelvin Heppner)

 

Several hundred single desk supporters held a rally in front of the Canadian Wheat Board's head office in downtown Winnipeg on Friday.

The crowd included a mix of farmers, politicians, CWB employees, union members and individual single desk supporters - even members of the global Occupy movement.

"What's going on is a real travesty," said Rick, a farmer from southeast Manitoba. "The Harper government thinks they know best for what Canadian farmers want and need. It should be given to a vote."

"Harper figures he can do what he wants and change the law to suit what's on his agenda," said Robyn Meyer, a producer from Gilbert Plains.

The rally was emceed by former CWB director and Lowe Farm-area producer Butch Harder and Beausejour-area producer Andy Baker. The crowd included MPs Pat Martin, Niki Ashton, Wayne Easter and Kevin Lamoureux, along with many current and former NDP MLAs.

The list of people who delivered speeches included many of the politicians, as well as spokespeople for pro-single desk farm groups and the Council for Canadians.

Representatives from the Manitoba Federation of Labour showed their support, not only with signs, but by supplying the sound system for the event. CWB employees handed out coffee and refreshments to the crowd.

Organizers had expected - and Winnipeg Police prepared for - several thousand protestors. The actual number was estimated to be between two and four hundred.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said the low turnout proved that farmers are ready for change.

"It's once again clear that farmers want leadership that is focused on building a brighter future - a future that includes the freedom to sell their wheat and barley on the open market or through the voluntary Canadian Wheat Board," he said in a statement following the rally. "Not only does the Government have the right to amend legislation, we also have the responsibility to fulfill our long-standing promise to give Western Canadian farmers marketing freedom."
 
Click here for more photos from the rally on the Facebook Page for Golden West Radio's Manitoba Farm Journal.