As the 36th Parliament prepared to assemble this week, much of the spotlight was on the Liberals, their plans for the session and how they will manage to govern with a slim majority. Would there be visible jockeying among contenders to replace prime minister Jean ChrŽtien as Liberal leader? Would disgruntled backbenchers use their enhanced […] Read more
Stories by Barry Wilson
Ontario cancels wheat board vote over rule dispute
A controversial plan to hold a farmer vote on the future of the Ontario Wheat Board marketing monopoly was cancelled last week after Ontario farm leaders united to denounce the rules. The Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission had decided the Ontario board would lose its 24-year-old monopoly marketing powers unless two-thirds of wheat growers voted […] Read more
Taxpayers tapped for Ont. wheat board loss
Federal taxpayers will be on the hook this winter for more than $17 million to bail the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board out of a deficit rung up in the 1996-97 crop year. Last week, federal auditors were at wheat board offices in Chatham, reviewing the numbers before sending a report to Ottawa. A board […] Read more
Grain companies oppose changes to work hours
No sooner had the federal government last week announced its plan to review hours of work rules in country grain elevators than grain company officials were warning that any change could hurt farmers and close elevators. “If it comes down to having to hire more employees because of a shorter work week, it could lead […] Read more
Canada vows to reduce methyl bromide use
Use of the farm chemical methyl bromide will be phased out around the world within 18 years, and in Canada by 2005, representatives of more than 110 countries decided at a Montreal environmental conference last week. In all developed countries, farmers will have to find alternatives within eight years, with a steady decline called for […] Read more
GSU, elevator companies square off over hours of work
The federal government this week announced it is agreeing to union requests to re-examine whether hours-of-work rules at grain elevators should be more restrictive during planting and harvest seasons. Already, the battle lines have been drawn after the government informally told both grain industry and union officials that a commission of inquiry will be appointed […] Read more
Lobbyists clash over labor reform, special status for grain handling
A fierce behind-the-scenes Parliament Hill battle has been waged this summer over the shape of labor legislation reform that will surface in the new Parliament. Will the new Liberal government follow the lead of the last one to propose labor code amendments which, among other things, protect west coast export grain shipments from being grounded […] Read more
Sugar deal with U.S. hits processors’ access
A sugar deal cut between Canada and the United States guarantees limited access to the U.S. for sugar refined at the beet plant in Taber, Alta., but it comes at the expense of Canadian companies that produce sugar-containing products. The Rogers Sugar plant has been guaranteed most of the U.S. import market for refined sugar. […] Read more
Push for open barley market will climax this fall
For critics of the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly over export and malting barley sales, the next few months are critical, says the president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association. Larry Maguire said if the government cannot be persuaded this fall to remove the barley monopoly, it will stay in place at least six more […] Read more
Camera-shy cow could be rare breed’s poster girl
THURSO, Que. – Winchy, the Canadienne cow who may one day epitomize her almost-extinct breed, is acting camera shy. As she leads owner Jean-Claude Brunet and a visitor on a walk through the fields of his west Quebec farm 50 kilometres east of Ottawa, Winchy refuses to stand still for an affectionate pat and a […] Read more
