A Calgary MLA has introduced a private member’s bill that would put
Alberta closer to allowing provincial wheat and barley to be sold
outside the Canadian Wheat Board.
Bill 207, the Alberta Wheat and Barley Test Market Act, would set up a
10-year test to allow farmers to sell their grain to whomever they
chose in Alberta.
Mark Hlady said with his background in the stock markets and as a
financial adviser before becoming a Progressive Conservative MLA, he
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can see how the existing federal legislation restricts farmers’ ability
to sell their grain.
“This is possibly the most socialist piece of legislation that sits in
our federal government today,” said Hlady when he presented the bill
for second reading.
The bill isn’t designed to get rid of the Canadian Wheat Board, but to
allow competition, he said.
If the bill is passed, Alberta agriculture minister Shirley McClellan
would have the mandate to reopen the debate with the federal government
and the wheat board to allow Alberta farmers the opportunity to sell
grain outside the board.
Liberal MLA Kevin Taft said while he wasn’t opposed to the bill, he is
concerned Alberta farmers will be asked to compete in an open market
against subsidized American grain.
“So while I laud the notion of a free market in grains, I am concerned
that it may not play out,” said Taft.
Alberta’s spring legislative session is expected to wrap up by the May
long weekend, so the bill could be held over to the fall session.
On average, 25 private member’s bills are introduced each year and only
three are passed.
