The re-elected minority Conservative government vowed to continue attempts to end the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly in the new Parliament. 
In a throne speech opening the 40th Parliament Nov. 19, the Conservatives adopted a tone of co-operation with the opposition, stressing economic measures and all but guaranteeing that next year, the government will run a deficit.
But in what one opposition MP said was its one diversion into “rigid ideology positioning,” the government vowed to return to the CWB issue and it did not limit itself to barley.
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“Our government will continue to support Canada’s farmers by ensuring freedom of choice for grain marketing in western Canada and strongly supporting our supply managed sectors at home and in international negotiations,” said the Throne Speech read in the Senate by governor general Michaelle Jean.
The speech outlining the general government agenda for the first session of Parliament also promised support for biofuel production and an emphasis on negotiating regional and bilateral trade deals. The throne speech also touched on Senate rule changes including an attempt to legislate Senate elections, term limits of eight years and tougher Senate ethics rules.
As well, the speech said the government will curb spending to ensure that only essential departmental programs are funded, leading to speculation about the effect the spending limits would have on Agriculture Canada’s ability to fund farm support programs.
Before the throne speech, senior government officials signaled the emphasis in the new Parliament would be on the economic crisis with secondary issues pushed to the back burner of the government agenda.
Government critics assumed that the CWB monopoly issue was one of those secondary issues.
So New Democratic Party CWB critic Pat Martin was surprised when he heard the pledge to revisit the wheat board.
“They tried very carefully not to poke anyone in the eye with a stick except over the Canadian Wheat Board,” he said. “They will try again and I am surprised. They talk about wanting a co-operative Parliament and the speech was generally in that direction but with the inclusion of the wheat board, I will be recommending we oppose it.”
In an earlier post-election interview, agriculture minister Gerry Ritz said the government will revive legislation to give the government power to change the monopoly through cabinet decision.
However, he predicted the debate would not be re-launched until Parliament reassembles in early 2009, after the results of the CWB director elections are known.
He said the four-week, pre-Christmas session will concentrate on the economic crisis.
