Monday, September 26, 2011

Last word to Professor Peter Phillips!

Clare,

Not only does the government have this problem, but many in the trade say there is no way that Minister Ritz can handle the practical aspects of this enormous change in the time available. We are soon at the point where Mr. Ritz will be costing Canada export dollars.

Anonymous

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Dear Anonymous:

Thank you for contacting CyberSmokeBlog with the link to The Western Producer article.

Pat "Harry Callihan" Martin notwithstanding, once the grain dust has settled we think the most likely scenario will be a two-tiered system which will see grain producers switching between both as the situation suits them. We wonder if the fast talking "Harry" might himself be a tad dulusional. Besides, what's millions of dollars to jet setting Conservatives?
As Peter Phillips a public policy Professor at the University of Saskatchewan said in comments to the CBC (September 12, 2011):

"The Board can and should have a long term future but it will have to keep loyal farmers under the new system. Sixty per cent of producers say they like the Board so that's a pretty good client base right there. Under the right terms and conditions, I suspect many of the others would continue to use the Board."

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk
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CWB law almost certain to be delayed: opposition critic

By Barry Wilson, Ottawa Bureau
September 23, 2011

Prairie grain farmers should make their 2012 marketing plan assuming the Canadian Wheat Board marketing monopoly still will be in place, says a key opposition opponent of government dismantlement plans.

Winnipeg New Democrat MP Pat Martin, opposition CWB critic, said that the government's promise to end the wheat and barley monopoly effective August 1, 2012 is virtually certain not to come to pass.

Legislation must make it through Parliament and the opposition can use multiple procedural tactics to delay it, even with a majority government.

"A lot of people who follow parliamentary procedure say that if he (agriculture minister Gerry Ritz) cannot get it through Parliament by December 15 (when Parliament adjourns until late January), it is unlikely to implement the changes needed for a free market by August 1, 2012," the MP said in an interview. "It's not that difficult for the largest opposition in Canadian history to use procedural tactics to stall and delay that legislation.

"Martin said that since farmers begin to plan during the winter how to sell their 2012 crop, they should assume the wheat board single desk will be an option next year.

"I think farmers should operate under the assumption that the status quo will prevail for 2012 because the minister cannot guarantee delivery of his promise," he said. "With the passion and the strong belief we are on the side of the angels with the CWB, there will be a full court press pulling out all the stops and using every tool at our disposal to stop, delay and sabotage the intention of the minister. I don't think he knows the fight he is going to get."

Complicating the government's legislative challenge is the fact that the first major piece of legislation is a controversial omnibus crime bill introduced this week that government leaders say will be a priority this autumn even as opposition MPs insist they will delay it.

Martin said Ritz is "deluded" if he thinks grain legislation will get through Parliament by the time it rises for summer in mid-June.

In the House of Commons September 23, Liberal agriculture critic Frank Valeriote insisted that the CWB plebiscite showed prairie producers support the board's single desk even if they voted Conservative in the spring election. Of the 56 percent of permit book holders who voted, 62 percent of wheat producers supported the monopoly.

Ritz insisted the "vast majority" of farmers "understand the needs and requirements to market on their own behalf."

He noted that they sell their own canola, pulse crops and livestock. "We know they can do that with wheat as well, they just need a chance to do that."Ritz said the opposition can oppose. "They can say no but at the end of the day, this is going to happen."

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