Misplaced Pages

#753246

37-559: In 1923, the United Farmers of Alberta met with then Attorney General John Edward Brownlee to consider setting up a Wheat Pool just in Alberta . On the advice of Aaron Sapiro , a California lawyer they created a non-share, non-profit organization responsible solely for selling wheat for the best advantage. It was set up as a one-man, one-vote organization, with a 5-year contract required to deliver 100% of his commercial wheat to

74-479: A leader. To form its cabinet it went outside the Legislature to recruit a Premier , as did the other United Farmer governments. The UFA even approached Liberal leader Charles Stewart to remain as premier. Stewart declined, however, not wanting to lead the assembly as a member of the opposition. UFA President Henry Wise Wood also declined, and Vice-President Percival Baker , an elected MLA, died 24 hours after

111-695: A linear descendant of the UFA. The United Farmers of Alberta ran candidates in several federal elections in alignment with, but usually to the left of, the Progressive Party of Canada with a number of UFA MPs sitting in the House of Commons with the Ginger Group of left wing MPs. Following Robert Gardiner's election in a federal by-election prior to the 1921 election, Alberta farmer ran 14 candidates (some as UFA, some as Progressive Party candidates) in

148-574: A measure of proportional representation through the STV . In 1923, the government formed the Alberta Wheat Pool and upset some of its support base by ending Prohibition , replacing it with open sale of alcohol through government-owned liquor stores and carefully regulated beer parlours, and refusing to establish a provincial bank, a bank owned by the provincial government, despite UFA conventions calling for it. In 1925, John E. Brownlee , who

185-722: A partnership with Maple Leaf Fuels , a subsidiary of Imperial Oil in 1935 to distribute fuel to its members. The next year it began to open retail stations under the Maple Leaf brand across the province. The first farm supply store opened in Calgary in 1954, and a second in Edmonton in 1957. That same year, UFA bought the assets of Maple Leaf Fuels, giving the co-op greater control over the business. In 1984, UFA opened its first cardlock fuel agency in Calgary. Today, UFA has over 110 cardlock facilities across three provinces and

222-681: A period when demand would normally have raised the price significantly. Alberta Wheat pool continued to thrive and established itself as a world grain trader, supplier of crop input supplies and began to diversify. As production of grain increased and competition decreased the number of competitors, Alberta Wheat Pool elevators came to dominate the rural Alberta landscape. In 1998 Alberta Wheat Pool and Manitoba Pool Elevators merged to form Agricore Cooperative Limited. In 2001, United Grain Growers combined its business operations with Agricore Cooperative Ltd. and carried on business as Agricore United ,

259-488: A publicly traded company, no longer a farmer-owned cooperative. In 2007, Agricore United was taken over by the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool , another publicly traded company. The merged corporation was renamed Viterra . United Farmers of Alberta The United Farmers of Alberta ( UFA ) is an association of Alberta farmers that has served different roles in its 100-year history – as a lobby group ,

296-586: A successful political party, and as a farm-supply retail chain. As a political party, it formed the government of Alberta from 1921 to 1935. Since 1935, it has primarily been an agricultural supply cooperative headquartered in Calgary, Alberta . As of 2019 , UFA operates 34 farm and ranch supply stores in Alberta and over 110 fuel stations in British Columbia , Alberta and Saskatchewan . UFA

333-493: A yearly cash subsidy from the federal government. This deal would later become a critical factor in Alberta's economic success as the province's oil deposits were exploited. Riding a wave of popularity resulting from this agreement, Brownlee led the United Farmers to a third majority government in the 1930 election , despite alienating socialists and labour groups as he led the party in a conservative fashion, and despite

370-644: The Alberta Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Company (AFCEC), which joined with other Prairie elevator companies to eventually become the United Grain Growers . Tregillus was the first president of the AFCEC. The UFA was a believer in the co-operative movement and supported women's suffrage . In 1912 women founded the parallel United Farm Women of Alberta, and in 1914, women were granted full membership rights in UFA itself. By 1920, UFA had become

407-577: The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation when it was formed in 1932. All eight ran as CCF candidates in the 1935 federal election and were defeated. The ninth, William Thomas Lucas , ran as a Conservative in 1935 and was also defeated by the Social Credit landslide that were elections in Alberta that year. Following the dissolution of its political wing, UFA focused on its commercial operations. UFA entered into

SECTION 10

#1732780517754

444-400: The 1921 federal election, not running in two Calgary ridings where strong Labour candidates carried the farmer-worker banner. All the UFA candidates (and the two Calgary Labour candidates) were elected, the incumbent Liberal MPs and Conservative contenders not getting one seat. In 1926, the province's Progressive MPs ran for re-election as UFA candidates. Eight of the UFA's 9 remaining MPs joined

481-528: The Pool. United Grain Growers grain company and the Alberta Pacific Elevator company agreed to accept Pool deliveries in their facilities. Other elevator owners quickly agreed to accept Pool wheat when they realized the pricing power the farmers had created. The Pool purchased the grain produced by its members at a provisional or initial price. The pool then sold the grain, and if there

518-478: The UFA government was defeated, the organization withdrew from electoral politics. In 1938, the CCF committed itself to run candidates in the next provincial and elections, setting up local riding clubs for that purpose. In 1939, UFA officially disbanded its political arm, still continuing as a farmers supply co-operative. Many of the left-wing members of the UFA organization joined the CCF, though that party would not win

555-477: The UFA joined with the Canadian Labour Party and other political groups to help found the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation , the first Canada-wide farmer/labour political party (other than the revolutionary Communist Party of Canada ). Premier Brownlee on more than one occasion opposed the UFA's leftward slide. The final blow for Brownlee occurred when he was caught up in a sex scandal as he

592-466: The UFA's non-partisan policy would cause the UFA to break up. In 1919, the UFA won a by-election in the Cochrane constituency . In 1921, Robert Gardiner won a seat in a federal by-election, becoming UFA's first Member of Parliament. Encouraged by this, UFA ran in 45 of Alberta's 61 ridings in the 1921 provincial election . To the surprise of nearly everyone, including themselves, UFA took 38 seats in

629-474: The attempt failed. Instead, the Wheat Pool began to build more elevators and terminals. By the late 1960s the Wheat Pool had 567 elevators. In 1925 wheat prices rose to $ 2.17 then dropped down to $ 1.36. Fearing market collusion to lower prices, the Pool began to buy wheat futures – 3 million imperial bushels (110,000 m) worth. This had the effect of raising prices to $ 1.69, possibly preventing

666-519: The election, winning a majority government, and sweeping the Liberals out of power after almost 16 years. UFA and Progressive party candidates also captured all but two of the Alberta federal seats in the 1921 federal election (the other two were taken by Labour candidates). As was the case with other United Farmer governments in Manitoba and Ontario , the UFA was elected unexpectedly and without

703-546: The election. Ultimately, UFA executive member Herbert Greenfield was named the first UFA Premier. Among his cabinet were Irene Parlby , the second female cabinet minister in the British Empire, and Calgary Labour Party MLA Alex Ross as Minister of Public Works. The United Farmers government initiated several reforms, including improving medical care, broadening labour rights and making the tax system fairer. It made good on its promise of electoral reform, bringing in

740-452: The feared ' bear raid '. As a result, the Pool was extremely profitable. The Pool did so again in 1929 and again in 1930. The first was profitable, but in 1930 (in part due to the stock market collapse in 1929) there were major losses when wheat prices fell under $ 0.20. The losses far exceeded the profits in 1925 and in 1929 combined, and government loans were necessary to stay solvent. The loans took 17 years to pay off. In order to obtain

777-612: The government loans, the Pools had to give up overseas direct sales. This caused anger among members and harsh accusations were delivered. Nevertheless, the pool continued to grow quickly in members, wheat capacity and popularity. In 1935, a Canadian Grain Board (now the Canadian Wheat Board ) was created by the government as an alternative to pooling. The board had the ability to set a minimum price for wheat, which initially

SECTION 20

#1732780517754

814-488: The hard-pressed Alberta Wheat Pool in 1929. Banks were repossessing the farms of many farmers who were unable to pay off their loans and interest when grain prices were lower than the cost of production. The government's Liberal and Conservative opponents grew louder and they hoped to become popular. At the same time, however, the government faced opposition from socialists calling for more interventionist anti-capitalist policies and for radical monetary reform. The latter stance

851-532: The most influential lobby group in Alberta with over 30,000 registered members. Under pressure of losing influence to the upstart Alberta Non-Partisan League – which ran in four rural constituencies in the 1917 provincial election , winning two – and dissatisfied with the existing political parties, UFA entered the political arena in 1919. Some prominent UFA members (including its president, Henry Wise Wood ) at first opposed entering into direct politics, as opposed to lobbying, however, because they thought abandoning

888-442: The quickly deteriorating financial conditions. The Great Depression had a critical impact on the United Farmers' fortunes, as the crash in grain prices and simultaneous drought in southern Alberta hurt its support base, farmers. The government, with reduced tax revenue, engaged in cuts in services, staff and wages. The province was in debt after the grandiose spending of the relatively prosperous 1920s. The government also bailed out

925-610: The support of most former UFA voters. Many right-wing and centrist members of the UFA joined the Alberta Unity Movement , an attempt to form a coalition between United Farmers, Liberals and Conservatives to defeat Social Credit in the 1940 provincial election . The CCF was folded into the New Democratic Party in 1961. Its Alberta wing claims the Alberta CCF's history as its own, thus making it

962-588: The time for over $ 1.00 per bushel, this was a low percentage cost. With this income, the Pool accumulated a $ 200,000 reserve. Shortly thereafter, Saskatchewan and Manitoba created Wheat Pools of their own. The Pools grew in numbers and political power. In 1928 the combined Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba Wheat Pools were among the biggest business concerns in Canada with a cash turnover of $ 323 million. The Pool attempted to purchase United Grain Growers Ltd., but

999-506: The total in the first year. They had to use the services of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange , despite objections from the farmers, in order to reduce risk which would in turn satisfy the banks that financed the venture. After the first year, the Pool began to deduct 2¢ per imperial bushel for purchase/building of Pool-owned elevators. This levy system was to be used often in the Pool's history. Considering that wheat sold at

1036-547: The vote. Of the nine UFA MPs elected in the 1930 federal election , eight joined the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation after it was formed in 1932. All eight ran as CCF candidates in the 1935 federal election and were defeated by a Social Credit landslide. The ninth UFA MP, William Thomas Lucas of Camrose , ran as a Conservative and was also defeated by the Socreds. Two years after

1073-461: The war effort. Many regions in Europe could not produce food, driving up demand. Price controls helped keep the price down, but it slowly rose from 56¢ in 1940 to $ 1.55 in 1945. The government issued a guarantee that wheat prices would remain above $ 1.00 a bushel until 1950. This was understood as part of several considerations given to the farmers in exchange for the low prices forced on them during

1110-561: Was 87.5¢ per bushel. By 1937, a worldwide poor harvest that had not affected Canada had turned the market around. Prices were well above $ 1 and the Canadian Wheat Board made a profit for the government. This was short lived when, in 1938, the world harvest was good and prices fell again to 60¢, creating huge losses. During World War II, the Canadian government gave away tons of food as gifts to allies in desperate need for

1147-400: Was a grain trade company founded in 1924. It became a subsidiary of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool until November 1932, when the Pool declared bankruptcy. In 1998 Alberta Wheat Pool and Manitoba Pool Elevators merged to form Agricore Cooperative Limited. In 2001, United Grain Growers combined its business operations with Agricore Cooperative Ltd. and carried on business as Agricore United ,

Alberta Wheat Pool - Misplaced Pages Continue

1184-404: Was a surplus in the account at the end of the year, it was distributed to its members at a pro-rated basis. Everyone who was a member of the Pool received the same price. Initially 26,000 farmers joined the Pool, with hundreds of shipping points. The Alberta Wheat Pool started making direct sales to flour milling companies and even exported grain directly. Direct sales accounted for over 60% of

1221-544: Was accused of seducing a young clerk working in the Attorney General's office. Brownlee resigned in disgrace in July 1934. Richard G. Reid succeeded Brownlee as Premier, however with many voters jumping to the new Social Credit Party , the United Farmers' fall in politics was as rapid as its rise. The party was wiped off the political map in the 1935 election , losing all of its seats and tallying only 11 percent of

1258-483: Was already widely believed to be the "true" leader of the United Farmers, succeeded Greenfield as Premier. Brownlee led the party to a second majority government in the 1926 election . In 1929, after years of negotiating, Brownlee gained control over Alberta's natural resources. This was a right other provinces were granted at Confederation or upon entry into Confederation, but which Alberta and Saskatchewan were denied when they became provinces in 1905, instead receiving

1295-490: Was founded in 1909 as a government lobby group following a merger between the Alberta Farmers' Association and Alberta branches of the Canadian Society for Equity. The UFA began as a non-partisan organization whose aim was to be a lobby group promoting the interest of farmers in the province. In 1913, under president William John Tregillus , the UFA successfully pressured Alberta's Liberal government to organize

1332-400: Was supported by William Aberhart 's Social Credit movement, which in 1933–35 grew to a potent force among the province's farmers. Henry Wise Wood retired as president of the UFA, more-radical-minded UFA MP Robert Gardiner , a member of the Ginger Group became president; the UFA conventions passed increased calls for strong government measures to address the province's widespread poverty;

1369-843: Was the largest cardlock network in Alberta. UFA has over 120,000 members; further, with 2007 revenues of over $ 1.8 billion, UFA is ranked as the 37th largest business in Alberta by revenue according to Alberta Venture magazine. In March 2009, UFA purchased Wholesale Sports in western Canada, and 15 Sportsman's Warehouse locations throughout the Northwest United States, which it then re-branded as Wholesale Sports. F/S = Farm & Ranch Supply P = Petroleum Agency / Cardlock 106: Petro Locations (P) / 34: Farm & Ranch Supply (F/S) / 5: Fertilizer Plants (F/P) 2: Petro Locations (P) / 0: Farm & Ranch Supply (F/S): 4: Petro Locations (P) / 0: Farm & Ranch Supply (F/S): Manitoba Pool Elevators Manitoba Pool Elevators

#753246