Senft re-appointed pending CGC reviews

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Published: April 4, 2002

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.

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