The Canadian Wheat Board will take legal action against those who libel the marketing agency.
During a Nov. 10 candidates’ debate in Prince Albert, Sask., board director Ian McCreary was asked by a CWB supporter why the marketing agency didn’t more strongly defend itself against outrageous claims by those intent on dismantling its monopoly.
McCreary said the board is “watching its opponents” and is ready to take legal action against any comments deemed libelous.
In a follow-up interview last week McCreary said the policy, which is part of a communications strategy that has been around since farmer-elected directors took control of the agency, would only be implemented as a last resort.
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“If people make statements that are blatantly wrong, that are defamatory to farmers, that require a response, then we’d do that.”
He mentioned it at the meeting because the issue was in his mind due to a recent incident involving Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski, whose public criticism of the board’s hiring of Ottawa lobbyist Avis Gray “bordered on libel,” said McCreary.
Aside from that one instance, board critics have done a good job of “sticking to the facts” over the past three to four years, he said.
Douglas McBain, president of the Western Barley Growers Association, a group that has been critical of the board, said legal threats are nothing new.
“That’s what they use, is intimidation and threats to try and silence their critics.”
He said those kind of scare tactics won’t intimidate the association but for a variety of other reasons the group has decided to back away from public criticism of the board.
“Any comment we make in the press, the board just uses that as a focal point,” said McBain.
He also said farmers appear tired of the monopoly debate as shown by the low turnout at candidates’ debates.
But that doesn’t mean opposition to the CWB has disappeared; it is still happening behind the scenes. Anti-monopoly groups are talking among themselves and lobbying politicians at various levels of government.
“There’s lots of ways to work without having a public battle in the media. My media budget doesn’t quite compare to theirs,” said McBain.
Cherilyn Jolly, president of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, a group that was once a leading source of anti-monopoly rhetoric, said there has been a change in attitude since the association was resurrected in March.
“We are far more about making farmers more profitable than we are about attacking the wheat board.”
While the group remains committed to the idea of creating a dual market for wheat and barley, it is now willing to work with the board to improve the marketing system, Jolly said.
“I would have to say we have a relatively good working relationship with the board right now.”
