The Canadian Wheat Board says it has provided CWB minister Gerry Ritz with all the information it’s required to under the CWB Act.
During a conference call with reporters Feb. 13, Ritz accused the board of refusing to provide him with information about its sales program.
“I am supposed to see on a month to month basis how much was sold, who bought it and what the price was.”
Ritz said he has asked the board for such reports on numerous occasions, but to no avail.
Read Also
Ag in Motion innovation awards showcase top 2025 ag technology
The 2025 Ag in Motion Innovation Awards celebrated winners across five categories: agronomics, agtech, business solutions, environmental sustainability and equipment.
“I have never seen one,” he said. “The board will not play fair so I don’t think I have to any more either.”
CWB spokesperson Maureen Fitzhenry rejected Ritz’s allegations, saying the board is providing the government what it has always provided.
“We are providing the same monthly grain sales reports to the minister that we have provided for at least the last 30 years,” Fitzhenry said.
“If he thinks there is something else he’s entitled to that we are not providing, he needs to be more specific about what he’s referring to.”
Ritz also said the board has refused to share with him the results of polls it conducts to determine farmers’ views on various issues.
“I’m supposed to have a look at them as well but they’re not forthcoming with that,” he said.
Fitzhenry said that’s not the case.
“We have always provided the federal government with the results of our annual producer surveys,” she said, adding the board offered to provide advance personal briefings on the results to former CWB minister Chuck Strahl in 2006 and 2007.
The 2008 survey is not yet completed, and when it is, the results will be given to the federal government as usual.
