OTTAWA – If the government refuses to allow grain farmers some freedom to bypass the Canadian Wheat Board, it will worsen political tensions on the Prairies, says a Reform party MP.
Elwin Hermanson, Reform agriculture spokesperson, said he is disappointed at reports agriculture minister Ralph Goodale will reject proposals to move feed barley, unlicensed and organic wheat from under the board’s export monopoly.
“If he does not make some concession, I think the hostility between farmers will continue and will probably intensify,” he said. “This will not end the debate. #It will not put the fire out.”
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Hermanson predicted farmers critical of the board would take such a government decision as a sign they must increase their defiance of the law.
“I think there will be more pressure on the Alberta government to challenge the board and there could be increased civil disobedience.”
He said Reform will use Parliament and the next election campaign to push its proposal that farmers be given a two or three year opt-out opportunity.
“I had hoped there would be a ground swell for that option,” said Hermanson. “I think there is some hesitant support for it in both camps but the minister seems to be ignoring it. I think it is a possible solution.”
On the board’s side
From another corner of the House of Commons, Goodale will receive support if he decides to maintain the board’s marketing jurisdiction.
“I will agree with the minister if that is what he does,” said New Democratic Party agriculture spokesperson and Saskatchewan MP Len Taylor. “The board has massive support out here. What we need is certainty, and a decision to retain the board’s marketing powers will return a sense of security and certainty.”
Taylor said since the report was released in early July, “there has been a hardening of opposition to it.”
He said Goodale should consult more closely with the elected CWB advisory board before deciding how to give farmers more control over the wheat board.
And once the minister decides not to tamper with board marketing powers, then the entire government should be prepared to defend the board.
“Once a decision is taken, the government will have an obligation, from the prime minister down, to defend the board’s integrity,” said Taylor. “Customs, justice, all involved departments must be prepared to put the weight of the government behind the decision to protect the board.”
