OTTAWA — The Harper government will officially start reforming the Canadian Wheat Board this week, with the introduction Tuesday of legislation to change the way western farmers sell wheat and barley, Postmedia News has learned.The government had given notice Friday that it intended to present a draft law to “reorganize the Canadian Wheat Board and make consequential and related amendments to certain acts”on the parliamentary notice paper, although that didn’t guarantee the bill would be presented Tuesday.
As well, Prime Minister Stephen Harper had said earlier this month that legislation was coming, but didn’t put a timeline on its introduction.
The government plans to pass the legislation by the end of the year, but more details weren’t immediately available. They are to be revealed Monday.
The Tories vowed during the recent federal election to end the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly on marketing western Canadian wheat and barley for milling or export. Opposition parties have been critical of the government’s plan, and Wheat Board members, in a non-binding vote, supported the board’s continued existence.
Just over one week ago, Harper told those opposed to the plan to accept what was coming down the legislative pipe.
“This is a historic change that has been long overdue,” Harper said in Regina on Oct. 7.
“It’s time for the Wheat Board and others who have been standing in the way to realize that this train is barrelling down a Prairie track. You’re much better to get on it than to lie on the tracks because this is going ahead.”
Harper said the Wheat Board’s monopoly would end as of Aug. 1, 2012.
Canada is the sixth largest producer of wheat worldwide, with annual sales of more than $5-billion.
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Source: National Post
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