OTTAWA – The federal government likely will not appoint a new Canadian Wheat Board commissioner until the future structure of the board is settled, said agriculture minister Ralph Goodale.
On Jan. 16, Forrest Hetland retired as assistant chief commissioner.
“I don’t feel rushed to make an appointment,” Goodale said in a Jan. 13 interview.
He said there was “some logic” to leaving the position vacant until issues of the board structure, which Goodale calls issues of “corporate governance”, are resolved later this year.
By the end of January, he said, the membership of a review committee on grain marketing should be announced.
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The committee will hold industry consultations on issues ranging from the board monopoly to suggestions that commissioners be elected rather than appointed.
And in early summer, a Canada-U.S. panel studying grain trade issues between the two countries is supposed to be issuing a preliminary report.
It too could have recommendations about the board’s role in the grain trade.
“I would think it might have value to maintain some flexibility until the issue (of corporate governance) gets decided,” said the minister. He said it would not disrupt the functioning of the board.
Traditionally, cabinet appoints wheat board commissioners.
Saskatchewan replacement
Since Hetland was from Sask-atchewan, one of the normal considerations would be finding a replacement in that province to keep the provincial balance on the board.
Goodale has been lukewarm to Reform party suggestions that commissioners be elected, but he has agreed the issue can be explored by the still-unnamed review committee which will lead the consultation on the board’s future.
Appointment of the committee is almost three months overdue, since the minister first wanted to have it operating last autumn. He said last week he is now ready to invite potential members to become part of the group.
Goodale denied rumors that he has been having a difficult time attracting members. He said no one has refused to join because no one has yet been formally asked.
He refused to comment on a suggestion that Regina judge Stuart Cameron has been considered as a potential chair.
The guiding principle in choosing members is that the review must be seen to be objective and fair by farmers on both sides of the issue, Goodale said.
