Greg Arason will stay at the helm of the Canadian Wheat Board until a permanent president and chief executive is hired.
CWB minister Chuck Strahl announced the extension of Arason’s term in a March 16 news release.
As is the case with just about anything involving the wheat board these days, the seemingly routine announcement was accompanied by a bit of controversy.
The CWB board of directors, which believes it had the authority to reappoint Arason after the expiry of his initial 90 day interim appointment, had been discussing Arason’s reappointment with Strahl and was expecting more talks before a formal announcement.
Read Also
Stacking Canada up on gene editing livestock
Canada may want to gauge how Argentina and other countries have approached gene editing in livestock and what that has meant for local innovation.
“The fact this was announced in a press release was a surprise to us,” said CWB director Ian McCreary.
“We anticipated he’d get back to us before a formal announcement. It’s very unusual.”
McCreary said the board has no objection to Arason’s appointment but wanted to be sure everybody was on the same page regarding the details of the extension, especially in the area of salary and compensation.
“I anticipate everything has been resolved,” he said March 19. “I have no reason to say it isn’t, but I have no knowledge to say it is.”
The board balked at approving Arason’s initial appointment last December because it felt the minister had ignored the board’s authority under the CWB Act to set compensation for the president and CEO.
The board eventually approved the compensation package, but asked the Federal Court to issue a ruling on whether the directors or the minister has the authority.
That case is still before the court.
Arason said he was pleased to accept a reappointment, adding his understanding is that there will be no public discussion of his compensation.
However, he said the fact he agreed to stay on the job indicates he is satisfied with the arrangement.
His original compensation package included a salary of $30,000 per month, benefits of $1,666 per month and a $30,000 lump sum payment on completion of his term.
Arason said the letter he received from Strahl on the extension included a direction that he focus his activities on the board’s business operations and refrain from making any public comments for or against the agency’s single desk marketing mandate.
Those same conditions were imposed during his initial appointment.
Arason said he has no problem with that, adding he has enjoyed his second go-round as board president and CEO, a position he filled from 1998 to 2002.
“I enjoy the business, the relationship with customers, the staff, the stimulation and the challenge,” he said, while emphasizing he hopes a permanent replacement is found soon.
McCreary said the directors plan to review the situation at a meeting in Winnipeg this week.
