Saskatchewan farm leader Norm Hall has delivered a pointed message for opposition politicians fighting the Canadian Wheat Board monopoly battle against the federal Conservative government.
Barring a court reversal, the political battle is over, said the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan president.
“The message we are giving is that the game is determined,” he said in an interview.
“Let’s get on with making the rules of that game and I think opposition MPs have a role to play in raising the rules in Parliament, making sure the railways and the grain companies are not first at the lunch table.”
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Hall raised the issue in late February when opposition agriculture critic Malcolm Allen spoke at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting in Gatineau, Que.
He noted that while defenders of the CWB monopoly are in court trying to overturn the effect of legislation that became law in December and unless reversed will end the CWB monopoly Aug. 1, the regulations to implement the act are being crafted this winter and spring.
The NDP should quit talking about the old political battle and keep the government accountable for the rules that will guide the new system, he said.
“We need you guys to get off the fence and into the game.”
The MP noted that his party is not involved in any of the lawsuits and he said the NDP will continue to raise questions about post-single desk rules and the impact on farmers of losing the monopoly seller.
Hall said in the interview he was not taking a stand on the CWB issue.
“That’s a can of worms,” he said when asked if the political debate on the board is effectively over.
“APAS has tried to stay as neutral as possible because farmers have divided opinions. Our position was to let farmers decide but that did not happen. Now, we have to play the game that is before us.”
