Agriculture Committee on Nov. 2nd, 2006

[Rob Lobdell]

Non-board grains, I'm sorry. That's correct. Even the overall numbers, I should tell you...over 11,000 cars were shipped. I think of that, only 168 were non-board.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

I just wanted you to make that point.

Mr. Bellavance.

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Thank you for your presentations.

My first question is directed to Mr. Friesen. Based on what you're saying—and I agree with you—it would appear that the government has charted a narrow course for the Canadian Wheat Board. It seems a great deal of planning has taken place. The Conservatives made a number of promises during the election campaign and have been working toward this goal for some time now. As you so rightly stated, we can't turn back the clock.

Ultimately, a new Canadian Wheat Board will emerge at the end of the process and other producers will be free to choose to do business as they see fit with operations, whether from the US or from some other world country. We won't be able to go back to the way things were before. Therefore, it's really important to think about this very carefully before taking any action.

That's why the opposition called for a plebiscite. You welcomed the decision made here in committee by the minister to hold a plebiscite, but only for barley growers.

How do you explain the fact that wheat growers, the largest group of grain growers in Western Canada, were not included? Do you have any idea why the minister chose to hold a plebiscite only for barley growers?

[Bob Friesen]

You'd have to ask the minister why he chose to only choose barley producers for a plebiscite. I agree with you there is no need to deregulate the single-desk monopoly to address any concerns I have heard. No concerns have warranted deregulating single-desk monopoly. They could all be addressed within the single-desk monopoly. Again, it's an information issue. Farmers need to know this. Farmers need to know what could be done and what's available to do without deregulating the single-desk monopoly. Should we then still deregulate it or should we address the problems within the single-desk monopoly? And again, it's a partnership issue. We have a government that has expressed recently and a long time ago that they want to be partners with producers. I believe they can show real leadership, one that farmers would appreciate, if they said, “Yes, let's have a good discussion, put the information out there, and let's let the farmers decide.”

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

For that to happen, these farmers, including wheat farmers, would have to be entitled to vote in a plebiscite. This choice would truly have to be made by all Western grain producers, without exception.

How do you feel about this, about the fact that only certain people or groups would be eligible to vote in this kind of plebiscite?

[Bob Friesen]

I don't think we should play with any numbers. I think all wheat and barley producers should be eligible on a one vote per person basis.

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Mr. Friesen, no doubt you've read the report presented to us earlier by the Task Force. Indeed, you were here when these officials testified. A marketing formula that would be advantageous to producers is mentioned in several chapters. It would involve purchasing grain from producers, thereby reducing supply chain costs.

Do you really believe that a new Canadian Wheat Board is needed to implement all of these resolutions? Could this possibly be achieved with the existing Canadian Wheat Board, barring a few changes? It's been done in the past. Of course, any organization must adapt to changing times. Do you believe that the needs of producers can be met by maintaining the current Canadian Wheat Board, or do we absolutely need to follow through with the drastic changes that have been proposed?

[Bob Friesen]

I would reiterate that I believe any concerns that have ever been expressed about the Canadian Wheat Board could well be dealt with within the single-desk monopoly.

The other concern I have is the implication that wholesale deregulation has for any other marketing structure in Canada. It is being justified by saying that farmers have to make changes every day of the week, so let's make this change, because they're used to change anyway. I believe it has real implications. I believe a strong signal needs to be sent out by this government that we will empower farmers to decide on the marketing structure that best suits the collective interest of agriculture. We have a very diversified agricultural industry in Canada. We always have to think of all of agriculture, not just certain parts, certain regions, or certain sectors.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

It's your question.

[Avery Sahl]

Yes. I ran across the general manager of the chicken board in Saskatchewan in the Winnipeg airport, on the way to Ottawa. He said, “For God's sake, who's next? Is it the chicken board? Is it the egg board? Is it some vegetable board? Is it the supply management?” He said, “Who in hell is next on the list?” That was his comment.

[André Bellavance, Bloc, Richmond—Arthabaska, QC]

Go ahead, Mr. Lobdell.

[Rob Lobdell]

Back to the situation, it frustrates me as a producer that for some reason people view the Canadian Wheat Board as somehow being locked in some sort of time warp in which they haven't changed over the last how many decades. It's ridiculous to assume that. I can tell you, the Wheat Board has changed dramatically over the past decade--dramatically, folks--with the farmer-elected directors. They are running that organization. I believe very strongly in two things: a market economy and democracy. And I also know that in a market economy, there's value in a monopoly. As a producer who controls that monopoly, I'm not sure I want to give it up just because there are a few who think they can do better outside of that. And I am certainly not willing to give it up without the democratic right to have a vote on that issue. I think if we're going to do that, fair's fair, and if there's a vote amongst wheat growers and barley growers and durum growers and the farmers determine that this wheat board should go, then it goes. But until then, I say it has to stay.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerry Ritz]

Thank you, Mr. Bellavance.

Mr. Miller, go ahead for seven minutes, please.

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Thanks, gentlemen, for coming today.

I think that we all, on both sides of the table, have to show credibility, and we've got to be able to display that there is no conflict of interest and that kind of thing. To point out an example, Mr. Friesen, Mr. Sahl, Mr. Lobdell, you're all presidents of your organizations. I guess I would say, sitting here as a politician, that if I had been president of the CFA or the NFU or what have you, and then had come here, I'd be viewed or could be perceived as having a conflict or a bias towards any of those organizations any time they came before the board. So my question is first--and it has a yes or no answer--whether any of you has ever been a part of a board of directors of any political party, or has run as a candidate, or has tried to run as a candidate. I'm just curious. I just want to hear yes or no.

[Rob Lobdell]

The answer is no.

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Mr. Friesen.

[Bob Friesen]

On your first point, as far as a conflict of interest is concerned, I'm in no conflict of interest at all.

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

I wasn't assuming that you were. I just asked a question.

[Bob Friesen]

With representing all the members of CFA—and this is why the CFA was a little quiet on this issue until we had a board of directors meeting two weeks ago—

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

No, I'm not perceiving that you do on the CFA. My question was whether you have ever--

[Bob Friesen]

I've never run as a candidate for any political party, no.

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Did you try to at all?

[Bob Friesen]

I ran for a nomination.

[Larry Miller, Conservative, Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON]

Okay.

Mr. Sahl.

[Avery Sahl]

No, I haven't.