The caustic debate over the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly didn’t show any signs of mellowing during an electoral review hearing in Winnipeg Aug. 19.
Southwestern Manitoba farmer Eduard Hiebert attacked many elements of the panel’s mandate and procedures, describing them as undemocratic.
And he urged the panel to completely disregard anything said by Brenda Tjaden Lepp, another presenter with whom he disagreed.
Tjaden Lepp wasn’t present for Hiebert’s denunciation, but in her presentation she said the polarizing nature of wheat board politics makes it daunting for moderate candidates to consider running.
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“There’s this mentality out there that you’re either pro or anti-board, and that just doesn’t generate a positive discussion or the kind of attitude or approach” that’s needed to address the board’s many challenges, said Tjaden Lepp, who withdrew as a candidate in the last wheat board director’s election.
“I found it frustrating to be immediately and automatically lumped into the non-board category or the anti-board group.”
Tjaden Lepp has favoured removing the board’s monopoly marketing powers, but has also praised some of its new producer pricing initiatives and encouraged farmers to use them.
But the present preferential balloting system almost forces candidates to make alliances with others in order to succeed, she said. That forces candidates to move further along the pro versus anti monopoly spectrum than they might wish.
“Personally, I found it somewhat problematic,” she said of her brief campaign, which she dropped because of a family illness.
“I didn’t want to be associated with one particular group or another, to the extent that that’s even possible when it comes to the wheat board debate.”
The preferential system was less contentious for other presenters, who focused on a range of issues.
As in meetings in Alberta and Saskatchewan, the hottest topic appeared to be whether voting should be based on one producer, one vote, or one bushel, one vote.
But many other issues were explored. Panel members asked a number of presenters how they thought the voters list should be compiled, who should oversee the voting process, whether the present timing was suitable and whether it was appropriate to have independent directors appointed by the government.
While some presenters have portrayed the board election process as having major problems, former wheat board director Butch Harder said the overall process has worked well and farmers should be proud of it.
“I don’t think there’s a big issue,” said Harder in an interview after speaking to the panel.
“About this voters list, I think they make far too much of it.”
Harder said neither the anti nor pro monopoly candidates have benefited from problems such as small numbers of farmers failing to receive a ballot or receiving more than one ballot.
“It’s the same on both sides,” said Harder.
But he said the wheat board must clear up the problems because it is hurting producer confidence.
“There is not much excuse for not having got it right the last time,” said Harder.
“All my years as a director, we never got a complaint of a farmer not getting paid the right amount for his tonnage of grain. If we can do that, why can’t we do the other?”
