HUSSAR, Alta. – Proposed legislative changes to the Canadian Wheat Board structure have left its farmer advisory committee in a morass of inefficiency and political infighting.
There is a split among wheat board advisory committee members and a new board is necessary to resolve the differences, said Dan Cutforth, the southern Alberta representative.
The divisiveness started during the continental market that opened briefly in the summer of 1993. The Conservative government allowed farmers to directly sell barley into the United States. The government’s decision was later overturned by the courts, but it marked the beginning of the end as more pressure came from farm groups for widespread reform to the board.
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“The worst time I’ve had on the committee is now. It is in such a gridlock because of the political infighting,” Cutforth said in an interview.
He has been on three committees and said at times felt set apart as a redneck from southern Alberta. He now finds himself again in the minority as he supports change in order to save the board.
Six of the 11 members believe the wheat board reform legislation, Bill C-4 now before parliament, goes too far.
Cutforth said the bill is not perfect but a step in the right direction.
“We have to move ahead. The board would soon disintegrate if we had not had reform,” he said.
Speaking at the wheat board’s Grain Days in this central Alberta town, he told about 125 farmers that he believes 85 percent of farmers want some form of marketing agency.
Under the proposed reforms, the committee dissolves at the end of the year and an elected board of 15 takes over with 10 elected farmer members.
He urged those present to take an interest in the election.
“Make sure you get involved and don’t just bitch in the coffee shop about it,” said Cutforth.
After 12 years, the Barons, Alta. farmer has no plans to run for the new board of directors saying it would be too time consuming.
As a member of the advisory committee, Cutforth had 10 meetings a year in Winnipeg, Grain Days commitments and some speaking engagements. It has been an interesting job and sometimes even enjoyable.
But he adds: “It hasn’t been fun the last two years because the committee is dysfunctional.”
