As the House of Commons prepares to debate grain transportation reform legislation next month, the view from opposition benches is one of frustration.
They will have little time to examine the details, little chance to influence it and little option of opposing or delaying it.
If opposition MPs do not hold their noses and allow the bill quick passage, the government has indicated it will blame them for thwarting a package that would reduce freight costs by $178 million annually.
“It is shameful that they are doing it this way,” fumed Chuck Strahl, Canadian Alliance House leader.
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“We haven’t even seen the legislation yet, but already some of our guys have some concerns. And they are upset that they are not being allowed to do their job.”
New Democratic Party agriculture critic Dick Proctor said he suspects the government has deliberately delayed introduction of the legislative details to give opposition MPs few options.
“It seems insane to act this way on such a major issue,” he said May 15.
Although the policy proposals were announced May 10, actual legislation will not be introduced until May 30 or 31. Only then will MPs see if there are details they cannot tolerate.
Meanwhile, the government last week refused to promise that it will table in Parliament with the legislation a memorandum of understanding to be negotiated between Ottawa and the Canadian Wheat Board that spells out the board’s new role in grain transportation.
Alliance MPs said it is crucial that the details be made public to make sure the wheat board will not have a role in car allocations for the 25 percent of the business that is supposed to be outside the board’s influence.
“Skeptics believe that the wheat board will protect its own turf and not allow real improvements to proceed,” Alliance MP Gerry Ritz said May 11.
Wheat board minister Ralph Goodale said the deal still must be negotiated with the board and he did not promise it would be done by the time the debate is under way in Parliament.
“When those discussions are concluded, it will be a public document,” he said. “In the meantime, we will be consulting with the other players to get their input, too.”
An Alliance official said there is a suspicion that under the new system, the wheat board will contract with the railways for the cars and then tender them to grain companies, effectively keeping its finger even in the part of the business that is supposed to be removed from board influence.
