Canadian Wheat Board asks Ottawa to withdraw partial gag order
Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, October 11, 2006
stifle yourself, Edith.
Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, October 11, 2006
WINNIPEG (CP) - The Canadian Wheat Board wants the federal government to withdraw a partial gag order that prevents the board from lobbying in support of its monopoly.
Adrian Measner, the board's chief executive officer, says the order creates an uneven playing field because there's nothing to stop the government from promoting its plan to open the board up to competition.
Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl formed a committee last month to recommend ways to end the board's monopoly in western Canadian wheat and barley sales.
Last week, the government issued an order directing the board not to pay for any advertising, publishing or market research that supports retaining its monopoly.
The order also bans the board from paying a third party to lobby on its behalf.
Board chairman Ken Ritter says the wheat board hasn't funded any kind of lobbying since early September because it is in the midst of elections for half its board of directors.
© The Canadian Press 2006
stifle yourself, Edith.