The spectre of the Canadian Wheat Board debate hovered over last week’s Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan annual meeting as representatives tiptoed around the contentious issue.
The debate wasn’t on the agenda and APAS has vowed to stay neutral on the issue of the board’s export monopoly for wheat and barley, given the deeply held views by members on both sides of the debate.
However, the organization does favour a plebiscite on proposed changes, and passed a resolution reaffirming that position.
But it wasn’t possible to avoid the subject all together.
Read Also
Ag In Motion 2025 draws strong attendance, more international visitors
Three clear days meant Ag in Motion 2025 saw strong attendance and a significant increase in international visitors at the large Saskatchewan outdoor farm show.
In his address to the meeting, agriculture minister Mark Wartman listed the benefits of the single desk and urged APAS to “stand up and be counted” no matter how uncomfortable some issues get. He later suggested to reporters that if the organization took a clear public stand on the board, APAS might gain more support.
He said the wheat board provides benefits worth between $265 and $327 million annually in the province.
He asked delegates what they would do if and when the wheat board is gone and that money is gone with it.
“Who are you going to come to to backfill those losses, and if you’re hurting, come you will,” he said.
None of the approximately 100 representatives at the meeting asked him about his comments after his speech, preferring to raise other issues.
APAS president Ken McBride, who was acclaimed for a second term, told reporters the organization would stick with its policy, which recognizes the issue divides producers and states that “APAS will not take sides on the philosophical issue of the CWB’s existence.”
APAS is neither supporting the board nor trying to destroy it, he said.
“The minister has his point of view,” he added.
Representatives were reminded during their resolution session that they would not debate the advantages or disadvantages of a single desk.
On the second day of the meeting, they even voted against hearing an emergency resolution dealing with the news that wheat board chief executive officer Adrian Measner was about to be fired.
