PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Maybe it was that state of sleepy relaxation that often accompanies a full stomach.
Maybe it was the energy-sapping heat in the airless hotel meeting room.
Maybe the Canadian Wheat Board is doing such a good job that no one had anything to complain about.
Or maybe those who don’t like the board don’t bother to show up at such functions.
Whatever the reason, the result was an easy ride for two wheat board directors hosting a supper meeting for 250 farmers here last week.
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During an after-supper question and answer session that lasted for about 90 minutes, directors Ian McCreary and John Clair fielded about 20 written and oral questions.
The questions covered the waterfront, touching on everything from the board’s operating costs, American farm programs and joint rail running rights to the port of Churchill, the future of the CWB and grain sales to Iraq.
But there was one thing they all had in common: there wasn’t a hint of hostility, confrontation or even unhappiness.
As far as McCreary is concerned, that in itself sends a message.
“I think people in this area are generally positive about the agendas the new board of directors is working on,” he said in an interview after the meeting.
He said farmers he talked to before the meeting seemed pleased with the board’s efforts to be more open and accountable and to broaden the scope of grain pricing and marketing services available.
“Some of them want broader changes, some of them fear losing things they like having,” he said. “But generally it’s pretty positive.”
However, at least one farmer in attendance had a different interpretation of why the meeting was so quiet.
“The format they had made it that way,” said Randy Hoback, who farms at nearby Canwood.
With written questions, there is no chance to get into any exchanges or debate, he said, no opportunity to rebut or argue with the directors.
“There’s nobody at the mikes, there’s no emotion and it doesn’t get anybody excited or create debate,” he said.
“It was quite obvious they had it laid out that way on purpose.”
Hoback, who supports a dual market for CWB grains, said he didn’t submit written questions because of the format, although he did corner McCreary after the meeting to suggest the board should look at investing in grain processing facilities overseas.
Clair rejected suggestions the format was designed to stifle debate, saying it reflected the fact there was no microphone available.
In fact, he said, written questions can encourage more people to ask questions, since some people are shy about standing up to speak before a large crowd.
Opposition pacified
Forrest Lawrie, a farmer from Shellbrook who chaired the meeting, said this year’s meeting was different from last year’s, when there were vigorous exchanges and even heckling.
He suspects one reason for the calmer atmosphere is that the board has brought in new pricing options for farmers.
“A lot of the people who have had discomfort with the board feel that has met their requirements,” he said. “Now I think people are coming to these meetings mainly to get information.”
Hoback said he went to the meeting hoping at least to get some useful news and information about the outlook for wheat markets, but came away disappointed on that front as well.
All in all, he didn’t consider it a very productive evening, with one exception: “It was a good meal,” he said with a laugh.
