On Monday, Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, was joined by Pierre Lemieux, Parliamentary Secretary, and the Saskatchewan and Alberta Agriculture Ministers to welcome the expected passage of the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act.

The Harper Government’s top priority remains completing Canada’s economic recovery.

This includes giving Western Canadian growers the freedom to market their own wheat and barley on the open market, who we know have what it takes to succeed.

Our Government is pleased that the Governments of Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia – representing the production of more than 80% of wheat and 90% of barley in Western Canada – expressed their support for giving farmers the right to choose how to market their grain.

Monday’s expected passage of the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act will help attract investment, encourage innovation, create value-added jobs, and build a stronger economy.

The Harper Government is taking action and delivering for Western farmers and Canada’s economic recovery.