ASHTON: ON TOMMY DOUGLAS' BIRTHDAY, HARPER BRINGS RURAL AND WESTERN CANADA DOWN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA - Today, MP Niki Ashton (Churchill) spoke of the irony that on the birthday of Tommy Douglas, the Harper Government has sped up its steadfast agenda to dismantle the Canadian Wheat Board.

 "Tommy Douglas was a champion for rural and Western Canadians - a champion for farmers and their families," said Ashton.  "It is ironic that a Government that claims to represent rural and Western Canada is listening to Big Agra rather than to the voices of farmers and Western Canadians.”

 Ashton was speaking in response to a closure motion that will limit the debate on Bill C-18, the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act.

"We in the NDP are proud to stand with Western farmers and Westerners who want their voices heard in favour of the single-desk. Let's remember how Tommy Douglas stood up for all our communities and continue his fight."

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For more information, please contact Jillian Wolfe from Niki Ashton’s office at 613-222-1829.