Agriculture committee  I would first point out that the e-mail to employees went out on December 21 and my appointment took place on January 21. When that decision was made, I was not yet appointed as the chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission. However, upon assuming that responsibility I talked to senior management about the memo, and I'm satisfied that they were following proper procedure, as directed by the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service and the result of a Supreme Court of Canada ruling on the proper relationship between management and employees when dealing with a political issue.

Agriculture committee  The commission has dialogued with producer groups right across Canada with regard to Bill C-39. We're playing an information role, trying to explain to them what's in the bill. Quite frankly, there are parts of the bill that actually strengthen the role the Canadian Grain Commission would be able to enact.

Agriculture committee  I respect the decision of the chair, but just for the member's information, there is an industry group, which includes the Canadian Grain Commission, that is tasked with dealing with the KVD issue. Again, we'd be happy to come back at a subsequent time and discuss this issue with the committee, but my understanding is the industry is working aggressively to be able to deal with the new regime under the removal of KVD as a criterion for the registering of new varieties.

Agriculture committee  First of all, I would preface my comments by saying the relationship between the management of the CGC and employees across Canada has been very positive and very constructive over the history, even recent history, of the Canadian Grain Commission. That being said, it's never easy if you're looking at a new act or an amended act that would remove some mandatory services and result in some job losses.

Agriculture committee  Absolutely. Farmers individually, farmers through their organizations, and other stakeholders in the industry have said that there are mandatory costs in the...and this committee, I believe, has said that. I don't want to put the words in your mouth, but I read a recommendation from this committee that said that we need to be cognizant of reducing mandatory costs to producers.

Agriculture committee  I serve under the Minister of Agriculture.

Agriculture committee  And the mandate is to serve producers. I answer to the Minister of Agriculture, but my mandate is to serve producers and to enforce the Canada Grain Act.

Agriculture committee  Absolutely. But it's not just producers. When I was involved provincially in Saskatchewan, of course, it was the issues of the entire province. But the agricultural issues have always been, if not all, certainly a significant part of the issues that I have been challenged with and tasked to speak on and to develop policy in regard to.

Agriculture committee  Yes, I'm happy to respond. First of all, I will offer to the committee that when Bill C-39 comes before this committee I would be happy to come back, and I will bring experts with me from the commission, as is deemed appropriate, so that we can answer your questions as deeply as you want to drill down.

Agriculture committee  Yes, we do grow grain. A long time ago we grew spring wheat. In more recent history we have primarily focused on durum wheat. That is part of our rotation. We have also grown other cereals, including barley and canary seed, and oats if the season is late. We've grown oilseeds and mustard.

Agriculture committee  Well, I certainly have first-hand experience, because prior to entering politics I made my sole living from agriculture, and it's always been an important aspect of the my life and that of my family. I might just add that there are three commissioners, and all three of us have a farm background.

Agriculture committee  It's been a long time, because we were discussing some of these issues when I sat on this committee and we had the chief commissioner of the Grain Commission come before us. Of course, I had to try to get feedback for my constituents to find out what their position was on the Grain Commission and other issues.

Agriculture committee  Again, this is no secret. I had two constituency assistants during my period as a member of Parliament, and a couple of constituency assistants while I was a member of the Saskatchewan legislature. I think what the member is referring to is that one of the constituency assistants who served me for part of my term as a member Parliament is the current Minister of Agriculture.

Agriculture committee  You're now asking me to get into a policy area. In my former life, I was happy to speak on policy issues. In this current position as the chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission, it's really not proper for me to speak on policy issues, particularly those outside my area of jurisdiction.

Agriculture committee  My decision to seek the position of chief commissioner was made after I reviewed the qualifications that the candidate should have. When I read those qualifications—and there are a number of them—I felt like the shoe fit. During all my time in public life I have sought to serve a country that I love a whole lot and a province that I very much appreciate.