Manitoba, Saskatchewan to hold joint CWB plebiscite if Strahl refuses

Both NDP premiers repeated earlier calls for the federal Conservative government to hold a farmer plebiscite before moving to remove the board's monopolies on wheat and barley sales.

Federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl said late last month that Prairie farmers will be allowed to vote on barley early in the new year, but he has no plans to hold a similar vote on wheat.

The party promised in the last election to open both markets up to competition.

The Manitoba government announced last month it would hold its own farmer plebiscite unless Ottawa let farmers have a voice on both crops.

Calvert said the Canadian Wheat Board Act is clear that a mandate from farmers is needed to remove the board's monopoly on either grain.

"This decision should not be made on ideological grounds by politicians in Ottawa," he said.

"It should not, for that matter, be made by a bunch of economists who will debate. It should be made by the people for whom their daily income is affected by how they market the product they grow."

Calvert noted the federal government also has the right to change the law to remove the requirement for a plebiscite, but called on the government not to take such drastic action.

Strahl's communications director would not answer directly when asked if the Conservatives would consider changing the rules for wheat.

"We're holding a plebiscite on barley and we'll have to wait and see what the farmers have to say," said Conrad Bellehumeur.

Holding the barley vote first is practical, since farmers already market the grain themselves domestically, he said. It is also in keeping with a recent task force recommendation that the monopoly be phased out one grain at a time, he added.

Doer and Calvert wouldn't commit to a deadline for Strahl to change his mind on a wheat plebiscite.

But Doer said it should be held as soon as possible after the ongoing wheat board director elections, preferably at the same time as the barley vote.

"Why have one vote for barley and not have a vote for the wheat producers? This is half a democracy, or less than half a democracy. We believe in full democracy."

Saskatchewan and Manitoba have been vocal in their support for the wheat board, while the Alberta government supports dual marketing.

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