Source: CTV - News/Current Affairs Date: August 05, 2007
STEPHEN HARPER (Canadian Prime Minister): I think the message to the wheat board is clear. The message is farmers want it. Prices will go up. Farmers want high prices, and the wheat board is supposed to get high prices for farmers, so
I hope the wheat board will start working with the government to make sure this is going to happen, because it's going to happen one way or another. Whether it takes a little bit of time or a lot of time, it's going to happen.
ROBERT FIFE: That was Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the wrap-up of the Conservative caucus in Prince Edward Island. For different perspective, we're joined by Adrian Measner who was fired by the Harper government as president of the Canadian Wheat Board for his opposition to the government's policy. Mr. Measner, do you feel vindicated?
ADRIAN MEASNER (Fired From Canadian Wheat Board): Well, not really. They are a little bit two separate issues, but certainly the right decision has been made now. It means that the Harper government is going to have to follow proper
process. I know he says that he's going to continue on, but he may do that, but he's going to have to follow the laws of the land to do so.
OLIVER: Did it surprise you that the court made that ruling? You know, I ask you this in the sense of the Conservative government has always made a big thing about how they respected the right of parliament, and it turns out the
courts saying they actually didn't respect the right of parliament. They were trying to do it through executive order.
MEASNER: That's right. No, it didn't surprise me. With the information I had when I was president of the CWB, it was clear that they had to move it through parliament if they wanted to make changes. But they chose to try the order in council route, and fortunately it was challenged by the friends of the Canadian Wheat Board and by the Canadian Wheat Board itself, and that's been changed and they'll have to follow proper process now.
FIFE: But there's a larger issue here now. I mean the Prime Minister says it's going to happen one way or the other. Why wouldn't the wheat board want to work with the government to try to resolve this issue?
MEASNER: Because it's not really the government's role to make this decision. It's farmers' decision to make. And if farmers want to make that change, that's what should happen. But at this point, farmers have not said that. There needs to be a fair process, an open process to allow farmers to vote on this issue. If they choose to open the barley market up, it should open up. If they choose to keep the single desk, then the single desk should stay in place.
FIFE: Well wait a minute here. There was a plebiscite that farmers voted for, am I wrong on that?
MEASNER: There was a plebiscite, but it was not a credible process. A number of things happened through that process, they put a gag order on the Canadian Wheat Board. They had ballots going out to multiple voters, there was no official
voters list, and the questions they asked, there was three professional pollsters that said they would not ask the question that way if they wanted meaningful results. It was not a credible process. They need to have one and then abide by the results of that.
FIFE: Are you saying that they ran an election that was fraudulent, that you see, something you'd see in some third world dictatorship?
MEASNER: Not something you would expect to see in Canada, yes. There were many, many problems with the election and ltimately the result they got, they added two of the questions together to justify their actions. There needs to be a fair process put in place to allow a plebiscite to happen.
FIFE: But you do have a monopoly, don't you? I mean isn't this issue of giving farmers the choice so they either stay with the monopoly or if they can get a better price somewhere else they can go and sell it on their own. Why, what gives you guys at the Canadian Wheat Board the right to have a monopoly?
MEASNER: Well, the Canadian Wheat Board is nothing more than farmers working together to sell their products, and the wheat board is run by farmer-elected board of directors. So every two years farmers elect five directors to that board. They decide whether they want single desk candidates or whether they want open market candidates, and to date farmers have elected eight out of the ten single desk candidates, so they sent the message of what they want to happen with the organization, and that's what the organization is doing, they're following what farmers want.
FIFE: Well, look, here's what the Conservatives say. They say they do represent western Canadians, and western Canadian farmers and that, for the most part they do it because they send Conservative MPs from farming ridings for the most part
to Ottawa, and the argument I hear from Conservatives is that the wheat board is run by a bunch of bureaucrats supported by the two NDP, you know, slash, slash, wink, wink socialist governments in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, and that you guys
are ignoring the will of the people.
MEASNER: Well that's not right. I'm not with the wheat board anymore, but the wheat board is run by a board of directors, and ten of those board members are elected by farmers. So farmers put those board members in place. They're the ones setting the direction for the organization. So if that's what the Harper government is saying, that is not right.
FIFE: So you're not saying that it's, this is a socialistic bureaucratic organization, because that's what they're telling people.
MEASNER: No, it is a farmers organization. It works for farmers. All of the salaries on staff at the Canadian Wheat Board are paid by farmers and it's run by farmers, and you can't explain it any better than that.
FIFE: Let's just look at this whole issue. I mean can we continue with the status quo, and I'm asking you this in a broader context because we know that grain sales, whether it's barley, but all kinds of grain sales are now, prices are really skyrocketing for a number of reasons. And a lot of farmers are saying you know what I can make, get a better buck by selling the stuff on my own. So are we not shortchanging a lot of farmers here by staying with a monopoly situation?
MEASNER: Well, basically, there's been a lot of studies done that show that the single desk selling gets the premium for farmers and gets more money for farmers. There are some farmers that say they can do better on their own. Whether that's true or not, I guess that will depend on the market situation. But ultimately it's up to farmers to decide whether they want to continue to market together or they want to do their own thing. They have chosen to date to market through the single desk, and I think as long that's the direction they want to go that's what should happen. If they choose to change that, then changes can be made.
FIFE: I just want to ask you a personal question, how devastating was it for you to be fired in that way? Can you just give us a sense of what it was like, having the government step in and fire you.
MEASNER: Yeah, well, obviously a very difficult period. Difficult because I was following the directions given to me by the armer-elected board of directors, and the government intervened. They didn't like that direction and I think they made some moves to try and take control of the board of directors, and firing me was one of those moves. So it's a tough period. I worked for the organization for 32 years, certainly have a lot of contacts internationally and in Canada, and know a lot of the farming community. But it was a change, and they had the right to do what they did. They did do it and life goes on.
FIFE: Well thank you very much, Mr. Measner.
MEASNER: Thank you.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Harper comes out swinging on wheat board issue
Updated Thu. Aug. 2 2007 7:59 PM ET
Canadian Press
CHARLOTTETOWN -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper is ready for a renewed battle with the Canadian Wheat Board, saying his government's plan to take away the board's monopoly on barley sales will come about "one way or another.''
"Whether it takes a little bit of time or a lot of time, it's going to happen,'' Harper told reporters Thursday at a caucus meeting in Charlottetown.
A Federal Court judge quashed the government's attempt to end the monopoly this week, saying the change made by the Tory cabinet in the spring was beyond cabinet's authority. Judge Dolores Hansen sided with wheat board supporters and said the change would have to be approved by Parliament.
"(The ruling) does not change the determination of the government of Canada to see a dual market for Canadian farmers," Harper said.
"I hope the wheat board will start working with the government to make sure this is going to happen, 'cause it's going to happen one way or another."
Harper did not say whether he might appeal the ruling, try to get the change through the House of Commons, or try some other method.
Wheat board chairman Ken Ritter said he understands the Tories campaigned on a promise to end the wheat board monopoly and allow farmers to sell independently.
But he said most farmers support the current system, and Harper's minority government would be hard-pressed to get support from the opposition parties to get changes approved in the House of Commons.
"That will be up to parliamentarians to sort out, but certainly the signals we get is that that is not likely,'' Ritter said.
Wheat board supporters say the agency's monopoly, which requires producers to sell through the board for all barley exports and some domestic sales, guarantees high prices for farmers. But opponents say farmers should have the right to sell independently, and can get better deals on their own.
The federal government held a plebiscite last winter in which a majority of barley producers voted to open up the barley market to independent sales. But critics say the plebiscite was flawed, and point out that most wheat board directors elected by farmers support the status quo.
Harper is not swayed.
"Canadian farmers have spoken very clearly that they want to see this barley market open,'' he said.
Wheat board officials were focused primarily Thursday on issuing their summer crop outlook, which showed a July-long heat wave has hurt crop production across the Prairies.
The board is predicting western wheat and durum production of 20 million tonnes -- down five per cent from the board's original forecast in June.
The expectation for barley production has dropped 10 per cent to 11.3 million tonnes.
"In weather terms, a deviation of more than three degrees for an entire month is very significant, and we see large portions of the West where it was four to six degrees above normal,'' said board president Greg Arason.
June's wheat forecast was already a reduction from last year, because heavy spring rain had left some parts of the Prairies too wet to seed. Low early price indications also played a role, giving some producers second thoughts.
Wheat prices are being helped by production problems in other parts of the world, the board said, but the high Canadian dollar will keep rising values in check.
Canadian Press
CHARLOTTETOWN -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper is ready for a renewed battle with the Canadian Wheat Board, saying his government's plan to take away the board's monopoly on barley sales will come about "one way or another.''
"Whether it takes a little bit of time or a lot of time, it's going to happen,'' Harper told reporters Thursday at a caucus meeting in Charlottetown.
A Federal Court judge quashed the government's attempt to end the monopoly this week, saying the change made by the Tory cabinet in the spring was beyond cabinet's authority. Judge Dolores Hansen sided with wheat board supporters and said the change would have to be approved by Parliament.
"(The ruling) does not change the determination of the government of Canada to see a dual market for Canadian farmers," Harper said.
"I hope the wheat board will start working with the government to make sure this is going to happen, 'cause it's going to happen one way or another."
Harper did not say whether he might appeal the ruling, try to get the change through the House of Commons, or try some other method.
Wheat board chairman Ken Ritter said he understands the Tories campaigned on a promise to end the wheat board monopoly and allow farmers to sell independently.
But he said most farmers support the current system, and Harper's minority government would be hard-pressed to get support from the opposition parties to get changes approved in the House of Commons.
"That will be up to parliamentarians to sort out, but certainly the signals we get is that that is not likely,'' Ritter said.
Wheat board supporters say the agency's monopoly, which requires producers to sell through the board for all barley exports and some domestic sales, guarantees high prices for farmers. But opponents say farmers should have the right to sell independently, and can get better deals on their own.
The federal government held a plebiscite last winter in which a majority of barley producers voted to open up the barley market to independent sales. But critics say the plebiscite was flawed, and point out that most wheat board directors elected by farmers support the status quo.
Harper is not swayed.
"Canadian farmers have spoken very clearly that they want to see this barley market open,'' he said.
Wheat board officials were focused primarily Thursday on issuing their summer crop outlook, which showed a July-long heat wave has hurt crop production across the Prairies.
The board is predicting western wheat and durum production of 20 million tonnes -- down five per cent from the board's original forecast in June.
The expectation for barley production has dropped 10 per cent to 11.3 million tonnes.
"In weather terms, a deviation of more than three degrees for an entire month is very significant, and we see large portions of the West where it was four to six degrees above normal,'' said board president Greg Arason.
June's wheat forecast was already a reduction from last year, because heavy spring rain had left some parts of the Prairies too wet to seed. Low early price indications also played a role, giving some producers second thoughts.
Wheat prices are being helped by production problems in other parts of the world, the board said, but the high Canadian dollar will keep rising values in check.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
CWB Official NewsRoom
Newsroom
2007
Farmer control affirmed, CWB to provide maximum value for barley farmers
July 31, 2007
Winnipeg - The CWB will continue to evolve and adapt to provide maximum value for western Canadian barley farmers, after a court ruled today that the federal government cannot change the way barley is marketed without Parliamentary approval.
“The farmer-controlled board of directors has gone a long way to provide flexibility in terms of pricing, payment and delivery -- and we've got plans to go even further,” said Ken Ritter, chair of the CWB’s farmer-controlled board of directors. “We will work hard to find new ways to create marketing choices for farmers without stripping away the marketing power of their single desk”.
While today’s ruling means the single desk remains intact for barley, Ritter says it will not be “business as usual”. The CWB will accelerate the evolution begun several years ago to transform the corporation into an entity that effectively responds to farmers’ business needs without sacrificing market premiums generated through the power of the single desk.
“Now that the court has brought clarity to the process, our path is clear to continue with renewed vigour to make improvements that producers want for their marketing organization,” Ritter said.
Today’s ruling affirms farmer control of this organization and is good news for all farmer-controlled marketing agencies,” said Ritter. “Ten of the 15 members of the board of directors are democratically elected farmers and we, together with our government-appointed colleagues and our CEO, are responsible for charting a course to take the CWB into the future.”
The CWB had argued that it was beyond the federal government’s jurisdiction under the Canadian Wheat Board Act for the government to push through regulatory change and that the 1998 amendments to the CWB Act gave control of the CWB to farmers, not the government. The reasons for Madam Justice Dolores Hansen’s decision can be found on the CWB Web site at www.cwb.ca.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada’s biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Maureen Fitzhenry
Media Relations Manager
Tel: (204) 983-3101
Cell: (204) 227-6927
2007
Farmer control affirmed, CWB to provide maximum value for barley farmers
July 31, 2007
Winnipeg - The CWB will continue to evolve and adapt to provide maximum value for western Canadian barley farmers, after a court ruled today that the federal government cannot change the way barley is marketed without Parliamentary approval.
“The farmer-controlled board of directors has gone a long way to provide flexibility in terms of pricing, payment and delivery -- and we've got plans to go even further,” said Ken Ritter, chair of the CWB’s farmer-controlled board of directors. “We will work hard to find new ways to create marketing choices for farmers without stripping away the marketing power of their single desk”.
While today’s ruling means the single desk remains intact for barley, Ritter says it will not be “business as usual”. The CWB will accelerate the evolution begun several years ago to transform the corporation into an entity that effectively responds to farmers’ business needs without sacrificing market premiums generated through the power of the single desk.
“Now that the court has brought clarity to the process, our path is clear to continue with renewed vigour to make improvements that producers want for their marketing organization,” Ritter said.
Today’s ruling affirms farmer control of this organization and is good news for all farmer-controlled marketing agencies,” said Ritter. “Ten of the 15 members of the board of directors are democratically elected farmers and we, together with our government-appointed colleagues and our CEO, are responsible for charting a course to take the CWB into the future.”
The CWB had argued that it was beyond the federal government’s jurisdiction under the Canadian Wheat Board Act for the government to push through regulatory change and that the 1998 amendments to the CWB Act gave control of the CWB to farmers, not the government. The reasons for Madam Justice Dolores Hansen’s decision can be found on the CWB Web site at www.cwb.ca.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. One of Canada’s biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all revenue, less marketing costs, to farmers.
-30-
For more information, contact:
Maureen Fitzhenry
Media Relations Manager
Tel: (204) 983-3101
Cell: (204) 227-6927
News Release: Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board
Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board
--a coalition of farmers and other Canadians in support of a democratic, farmer-controlled CWB
August 1, 2007
NEWS RELEASE Immediate Release
Federal Court Ruling on Barley is a Win for Prairie Farmers and Canadian Democracy
Winnipeg—Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board (FCWB) today expressed its satisfaction with Judge Dolores Hansen’s ruling on the court challenge it initiated in response to the federal government’s attempt to remove barley from the CWB’s mandate through Order-in-Council rather than legislation.
The court ruled that Agriculture and Agri-food Minister Chuck Strahl’s Order-in-Council was null and void. The court confirmed that crops can only be removed from the CWB’s mandate by Parliament after the Minister has consulted with the CWB’s board of directors and determined the wishes of grain producers through a clearly-worded and fair plebiscite.
“This is not only a victory for farmers,” said Doug Chorney, a grain producer from East Selkirk and a member of FCWB, “it is also a victory for democracy and the rule of law in civil society. Minister Strahl and his cabinet colleagues were attempting to do an end-run on Section 47.1 of the Canadian Wheat Board Act which clearly outlines the legal process for removing crops from the CWB’s marketing mandate. Judge Hansen’s decision protects millions of dollars in additional revenue to prairie producers from single-desk marketing of their barley through the CWB. It also confirms Parliament’s intent to devolve control of the CWB to prairie farmers from the federal government through the amendments to the Canadian Wheat Board Act it passed in 1998,” said Chorney.
In expressing his satisfaction with the court’s decision, Anders Bruun, lead counsel for the FCWB and the twelve farmer applicants, said “I hope that Minister Strahl sees fit to accept Justice Hansen’s decision. This issue has created unnecessary divisions in the farm community. It should be brought to a close as soon as possible so farmers and their governments can focus on real problems. Good politics and good policies bring people together not divide them,” said Bruun.
In commenting on the outcome of its challenge in the Federal Court of Canada, Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board thanked the twelve barley producers from across the prairies who signed on to the court application. Their principled stand contributed to the CWB’s decision to launch its own court challenge a few days later. The Manitoba and Saskatchewan governments signed on shortly thereafter as supporting interveners. FCWB also acknowledged the financial support of both provincial governments as well as the many farmers and ordinary Canadians who put their money where their mouth was and donated generously to the cause.
--a coalition of farmers and other Canadians in support of a democratic, farmer-controlled CWB
August 1, 2007
NEWS RELEASE Immediate Release
Federal Court Ruling on Barley is a Win for Prairie Farmers and Canadian Democracy
Winnipeg—Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board (FCWB) today expressed its satisfaction with Judge Dolores Hansen’s ruling on the court challenge it initiated in response to the federal government’s attempt to remove barley from the CWB’s mandate through Order-in-Council rather than legislation.
The court ruled that Agriculture and Agri-food Minister Chuck Strahl’s Order-in-Council was null and void. The court confirmed that crops can only be removed from the CWB’s mandate by Parliament after the Minister has consulted with the CWB’s board of directors and determined the wishes of grain producers through a clearly-worded and fair plebiscite.
“This is not only a victory for farmers,” said Doug Chorney, a grain producer from East Selkirk and a member of FCWB, “it is also a victory for democracy and the rule of law in civil society. Minister Strahl and his cabinet colleagues were attempting to do an end-run on Section 47.1 of the Canadian Wheat Board Act which clearly outlines the legal process for removing crops from the CWB’s marketing mandate. Judge Hansen’s decision protects millions of dollars in additional revenue to prairie producers from single-desk marketing of their barley through the CWB. It also confirms Parliament’s intent to devolve control of the CWB to prairie farmers from the federal government through the amendments to the Canadian Wheat Board Act it passed in 1998,” said Chorney.
In expressing his satisfaction with the court’s decision, Anders Bruun, lead counsel for the FCWB and the twelve farmer applicants, said “I hope that Minister Strahl sees fit to accept Justice Hansen’s decision. This issue has created unnecessary divisions in the farm community. It should be brought to a close as soon as possible so farmers and their governments can focus on real problems. Good politics and good policies bring people together not divide them,” said Bruun.
In commenting on the outcome of its challenge in the Federal Court of Canada, Friends of the Canadian Wheat Board thanked the twelve barley producers from across the prairies who signed on to the court application. Their principled stand contributed to the CWB’s decision to launch its own court challenge a few days later. The Manitoba and Saskatchewan governments signed on shortly thereafter as supporting interveners. FCWB also acknowledged the financial support of both provincial governments as well as the many farmers and ordinary Canadians who put their money where their mouth was and donated generously to the cause.
Wheat Board can keep barley monopoly, court rules
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 31, 2007 | 6:52 PM CT
The Canadian Press
A judge has struck down the federal government's move to strip the Canadian Wheat Board of its monopoly on western barley sales.
In a ruling issued Tuesday, Federal Court Judge Dolores Hansen said the government overstepped its authority in trying to end the monopoly through a simple cabinet order.
The decision is a victory for supporters of the wheat board, who argue that having all barley sales handled through the board gives farmers better prices.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government announced earlier this year it would end the board's monopoly on barley as of Aug. 1, and give farmers the option of selling independently.
The government changed the board's barley-handling through regulations approved by the Conservative cabinet.
Critics successfully argued the change can only be made by passing a law in Parliament — something that could be blocked by the opposition.
The Canadian Press
A judge has struck down the federal government's move to strip the Canadian Wheat Board of its monopoly on western barley sales.
In a ruling issued Tuesday, Federal Court Judge Dolores Hansen said the government overstepped its authority in trying to end the monopoly through a simple cabinet order.
The decision is a victory for supporters of the wheat board, who argue that having all barley sales handled through the board gives farmers better prices.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government announced earlier this year it would end the board's monopoly on barley as of Aug. 1, and give farmers the option of selling independently.
The government changed the board's barley-handling through regulations approved by the Conservative cabinet.
Critics successfully argued the change can only be made by passing a law in Parliament — something that could be blocked by the opposition.
'We won': union applauds upheld barley monopoly
'We won': union applauds upheld barley monopoly
Agriculture minister to examine 'what else is possible'
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 1, 2007 | 9:07 AM CT
CBC News
The National Farmers' Union and officials with the Canadian Wheat Board are applauding a federal court decision that derailed the federal government's plan to end the board's monopoly on western barley sales.
Chuck Strahl, minister of agriculture and agri-food and minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, said he was 'most disappointed' by the ruling.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)
In a ruling issued Tuesday, Federal Court Judge Dolores Hansen said the government overstepped its authority earlier this year when it passed a new regulation that would have allowed farmers to sell their barley independently starting Aug. 1.
The decision is a victory for supporters of the wheat board, who argue that having all barley sales handled through the board gives farmers better prices.
"Farmers went to court to protect our right to collectively, democratically, and properly determine how we market grain. We won," said NFU president Stewart Wells, one of the 12 applicants that brought the case to the Federal Court.
"Farmers hope the federal government will now use some common sense and not appeal this decision. It is also our hope that the government will now stop interfering in CWB business and let the CWB maximize the returns from grain marketing and get that money back to farmers."
'Most disappointed': agriculture minister
Bill Toews, director for the wheat board's district 10 in southern Manitoba, said he's happy with the decision, but added that the matter should not have gone to court in the first place.
"My view is, it could have had a constructive dialogue quite some time ago and not ended up in this situation," he said.
"It caused us significant chaos in the barley industry and was really unnecessary. So I'm really hopeful that we do have a more positive relationship with the federal government and I hope they see it the same way."
The federal government had argued Ottawa did have the authority to make the change, noting that barley was added to the wheat board's jurisdiction by regulation, so it can be changed by regulation.
Federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl said he is "most disappointed" with the decision and the government is examining its options, including parliamentary change.
"It'll be on the options table for sure. Whether we do it or not is too early to say, but … I've always understood that that is one of the options," he told CBC Wednesday morning.
"Our hope and our understanding, frankly, was that … we could make these changes by regulation," he added. "The court has said now at this level that that's not an option, so we'll have to look at what else is possible."
In a mail-in plebiscite earlier this year, about 62 per cent of the 29,000 barley farmers in western Canada said they wanted the choice of where to sell their barley — or they wanted the board out of barley marketing altogether.
Agriculture minister to examine 'what else is possible'
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 1, 2007 | 9:07 AM CT
CBC News
The National Farmers' Union and officials with the Canadian Wheat Board are applauding a federal court decision that derailed the federal government's plan to end the board's monopoly on western barley sales.
Chuck Strahl, minister of agriculture and agri-food and minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, said he was 'most disappointed' by the ruling.
(Tom Hanson/Canadian Press)
In a ruling issued Tuesday, Federal Court Judge Dolores Hansen said the government overstepped its authority earlier this year when it passed a new regulation that would have allowed farmers to sell their barley independently starting Aug. 1.
The decision is a victory for supporters of the wheat board, who argue that having all barley sales handled through the board gives farmers better prices.
"Farmers went to court to protect our right to collectively, democratically, and properly determine how we market grain. We won," said NFU president Stewart Wells, one of the 12 applicants that brought the case to the Federal Court.
"Farmers hope the federal government will now use some common sense and not appeal this decision. It is also our hope that the government will now stop interfering in CWB business and let the CWB maximize the returns from grain marketing and get that money back to farmers."
'Most disappointed': agriculture minister
Bill Toews, director for the wheat board's district 10 in southern Manitoba, said he's happy with the decision, but added that the matter should not have gone to court in the first place.
"My view is, it could have had a constructive dialogue quite some time ago and not ended up in this situation," he said.
"It caused us significant chaos in the barley industry and was really unnecessary. So I'm really hopeful that we do have a more positive relationship with the federal government and I hope they see it the same way."
The federal government had argued Ottawa did have the authority to make the change, noting that barley was added to the wheat board's jurisdiction by regulation, so it can be changed by regulation.
Federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl said he is "most disappointed" with the decision and the government is examining its options, including parliamentary change.
"It'll be on the options table for sure. Whether we do it or not is too early to say, but … I've always understood that that is one of the options," he told CBC Wednesday morning.
"Our hope and our understanding, frankly, was that … we could make these changes by regulation," he added. "The court has said now at this level that that's not an option, so we'll have to look at what else is possible."
In a mail-in plebiscite earlier this year, about 62 per cent of the 29,000 barley farmers in western Canada said they wanted the choice of where to sell their barley — or they wanted the board out of barley marketing altogether.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
