Farmer-elected directors of the Canadian Wheat Board will file an application in Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench, asking it to rule Bill C-18 invalid because it violates the rule of law.
CWB chair Allen Oberg announced the move at a news conference in Winnipeg today.
The CWB is also asking the court to issue an order preventing implementation of Bill C-18 until it makes a decision on the validity of the bill.
Bill C-18 would remove the CWB’s monopoly powers on the sale of wheat and barley.
Last week, the Federal Court of Canada ruled that agriculture minister Gerry Ritz contravened the law when he introduced the bill without first conducting a farmer vote as required by 1998 amendments to the CWB Act. The court made its ruling as a declaration and did not impose an injunction on the government’s actions.
Ritz has said the government will appeal the Federal Court ruling and is proceeding with its bill, which is now before the Senate.
Oberg has also written to governor general David Johnston, asking him not to give royal assent to the bill in light of the Federal Court decision.
