Political appointees atop the Canadian Grain Commission have been given
another six months in the job while two government-ordered reviews are
under way.
Some farm groups, which have been lobbying for the replacement of chief
commissioner Barry Senft at the end of his five-year term March 31, are
disappointed.
“For the past five years, Mr. Senft has been intent on dismantling the
regulatory powers of the CGC that currently protect farmers’
interests,” the National Farmers Union said March 27.
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Along with some Saskatchewan farm leaders, the NFU has accused former
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool vice-president Senft of siding with the grain
industry to reduce historic farmer protections under the Canada Grains
Act.
In late March and with little fanfare, the federal government and the
grain commission announced another review at the commission.
Federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief is expected to announce
details soon about a review to be led by three grain industry
representatives from outside the commission.
Vanclief communications aide Vern Greenshields said the minister will
pick three people who “represent a cross section of the grain industry
to conduct a review of the grain commission to see if it has all the
tools needed to meet its mandate.”
The “objects” and the “functions” of the commission mandate are
outlined in the commission’s legislation. They range from establishing
grades and standards for grain to monitoring the system and advising
the agriculture minister on issues in the industry.
As well, an internal review has been launched into the commission’s
business plan, budget and affordable services to deal with a federal
requirement that it not run up a deficit. The drought has reduced
volumes and therefore commission revenues.
NFU executive secretary Darrin Qualman said it sounds like a recipe for
more cuts in commission services.
“It looks ominous,” he said. “In Barry Senft, we have a chief
commissioner whose agenda seems to have been creating a weaker grain
commission and advancing the agendas of the grain companies.”
Both reviews aim to be completed this autumn. They come at a volatile
political time for the CGC.
Issues facing the commission range from demands for more segregation
and identity preservation to regulating genetically modified products
and striking a balance between grain company financial goals and the
right of farmers to bypass the established licensed elevator system by
using producer cars.
Senft and the commission have been accused by some short-line rail
operators and farmer-operated elevators of favouring line companies
over farmer rights.
The federal government announced the various grain commission reviews
by stealth.
On March 13, an internal CGC staff bulletin from commission chief
executive officer Gordon Miles announced the business plan review. It
was not issued as a public release.
And in late March, Vanclief announced a series of six-month
appointments to the commission to “ensure the consistency of leadership
during the internal review of the Canadian Grain Commission. The
purpose of the review is to ensure that the commission has the right
tools and is adequately equipped to assist producers in this rapidly
changing environment.”
The six-month appointments included Albertan Albert Schatzke as
assistant chief commissioner until Sept. 30, 2002, and Chris Hamblin of
Manitoba as a commissioner for six months.
Senft’s term was also extended but it was not announced.
The NFU suggested he was being left on the job to oversee review
results that coincide with his agenda, even though he is not officially
in charge of any of the reviews.
