According to Canadian Wheat Board minister Chuck Strahl, the new head of the CWB endorses the government’s plans to end single desk marketing
“He knows that all of us including the wheat board have to change with changing times and he supports our government’s vision of marketing choice for producers,” the minister said Dec.19, the day he appointed Greg Arason to replace fired president and chief executive officer Adrian Measner on a temporary basis.
But according to Arason, a long-time supporter of the single desk, he neither supports nor opposes the government’s plans.
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He just wants to sell grain.
“As chief executive officer, my responsibility is to do the best job I can selling grain and making money for farmers, making sure the organization runs effectively and that we have a good relationship with our customers and with farmers,” he said on his first day on the job.
He said his responsibility as CEO doesn’t involve taking a position in the single desk debate, and his views on the subject are irrelevant.
In accepting the job, Arason signed an agreement stating he will “focus on marketing grain on behalf of western Canadian farmers and refrain from taking a public position for or against any proposal for changes in the statutory powers of the corporation.”
Arason said he was comfortable signing the agreement, even though he has been a proponent of the single desk throughout his long career in the grain industry, including a four-year stint as the CWB’s first chief executive officer from 1998 to 2002.
“I signed on the dotted line that I would focus on managing the business and focus on that and that’s what I will do,” he said. “That is my priority.”
Asked if he supports the government’s plans, Arason said he supports the government’s right to change the CWB Act if it has a mandate to do so from Parliament.
“Obviously I wouldn’t have been appointed if the minister thought that I would absolutely give no support to a change in the mandate,” he said.
“We need to explore different ways of doing business, including discussions at the board level, but ultimately that decision has to be made by farmers in consultation with government,” he said.
Asked if he still believes the single desk is best for farmers, he declined to answer directly, saying he believes the board can remain a strong and viable organization.
“I don’t believe any organization can maintain the status quo forever and I believe things can be done that don’t destroy the mandate of the board to be an effective marketer but still go some way towards satisfying the needs of farmers looking for other options.”
Arason acknowledged he has “mixed feelings” about accepting the appointment because of his previous close working relationship with Measner during his previous time at the board.
But he eventually decided that if the government is intent on making changes, it’s important for the organization, farmers and customers to have a CEO who is familiar with the organization, understands the business and has the trust of customers and farmers.
There is a lot on uncertainty and stress at the board, and given his background and approach he hopes to provide a calming influence.
Arason’s appointment was welcomed by anti-single desk farm groups, who praised his commitment to focus on selling grain and stay out of the political debate.
However, National Farmers Union president Stewart Wells said the CEO’s duty is to respond to the wishes of farmers as expressed through the elected directors, not to act as a government employee, and if that means supporting the single desk, he should do so.
Regardless of his track record, said Wells, Arason’s appointment has to be viewed as part of the government’s attempt to wrest control of the board away from farmers.
Arason’s appointment is for a three-month term while the government seeks a permanent replacement.
