The federal government could save a lot of time and money by holding the vote on barley marketing tomorrow, says Canadian Wheat Board advisory committee chair John Clair.
He doesn’t think the upcoming campaign, which could last up to three months depending on when the vote is held, will change anyone’s mind on the issue.
“I don’t think a lot of people are looking for more information,” he said. “I think quite frankly that producers know what they want.”
And as far as Clair is concerned, what they want is the wheat board in charge of all barley exports, something that was made clear to the government in the aftermath of the Western Grain Marketing Panel report.
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“The minister (of agriculture) got a huge number of letters in support of the board and I think that’s what you’re going to see in the election itself – a huge number of people supporting the board.”
At their meeting last week, the majority of committee members agreed that every permit book holder be able to vote in the barley plebiscite. Agriculture minister Ralph Goodale has said he’s leaning toward limiting the vote to farmers who have recently grown barley, but Clair said the committee will try to convince him to change his mind.
“We feel the vote will have an impact that will be felt throughout the industry,” he said, noting that people may decide whether to grow barley depending on whether it is with the board or on the open market.
Goodale also said he expects a simple majority of 50 percent plus one will win the vote, but advisory committee member Mike Halyk said he thinks there should be a higher standard, likening the vote to changing a group’s bylaws or a constitution.
“Any time you make a dramatic change in direction in an organization, you need something like 60 percent or two-thirds,” he said.
Meanwhile, one committee member said he’ll vote to put barley on the open market.
Dan Cutforth, of Barons, Alta., said the key issue is that 80 percent of the barley grown in Western Canada is used domestically and priced on the open market.
“The way the present system is set up, the board is affecting the price too much for the amount of barley they handle,” he said.
“That’s a problem we have to rectify and if our only choices are board or open, I guess I’d have to say I’m for open.”
Large turnout wanted
All the committee members said a good turnout is crucial. The worst thing would be for such an important and contentious issue to be settled by 10,000 voters.
The committee hasn’t made any official plans to participate in the campaign, although individual members will get involved and be available to speak at local meetings.
Clair said the committee’s annual Grain Day meetings may be held during the campaign and provide an opportunity for farmers to talk about the issue.
