Restricted bids

[rookie]

I had to put down a history book about the neighbourhood to read this thread...

If a law has been violated, its a crime.

Then there grounds for prosecution.

..... I get impressed everytime I read those old community history books... those pioneers had guts, and were tough...

Then go after those committing a crime and give em a fight they wish they didn't have... or would you rather be the next chapter...

I gotta a few bucks for a lawyer.... call me..

[RShields]

Who was that sleaze ball over in Regina that already has a class action filed against Toyota? I don't think you need any money, they just take a big share of the proceeds.

[perfecho]

Just received a telephone call from my MP, had clipped and pasted Sawbones and cpallet.
For the competition bureau to act , it requires 6 people to ask for an inquiry.
So, what exactly are we asking, cpallet, for the Comp Bureau to look into? Make it the same, so there are no "outs" due to miswordings. Then all of us can send into competitionbureau.gc.ca

[grassfarmer]

Perfecho, I don't have cpalletts knowledge of the issue but as far as I understand it needn't be too technical - all you are doing is raising their awareness of the issue so that they are compelled to launch an investigation. I would suggest just raising your concerns based on the evidence that has been posted in the media - how that restricts your marketing opportunities and how that might adversely affect your business. It might be worth adding in some background concerns like the fact the Moose Jaw plant was closed after the takeover of Lakeside.
It will be up to the investigation to decide whether the exact wording that may have been used in the communications with NWCBP contravenes the laws - I'm assuming you are not privy to the actual communications.
Give it a go anyway - I don't see a queue of industry organisations getting active on the issue.

[cpallett]

You may recall that my advice was that you would be best served by 'a keen-eyed Alberta lawyer well versed in Competition Act issues'. Sadly, I do not fit into any part of that description apart from 'lawyer'.

Any response here requires careful, precise, intelligent and well thought out action. As grassfarmer has recognized, this mistake is not likely to be repeated.

May I respectfully suggest that the response is properly a matter for Northwest Consolidated Beef Producers and their counsel. Too many cooks, especially from outside the jurisdiction, spoil the broth.

[kato]

I sure hope they are doing those investigations. Is my memory correct that they represent 188 producers? If so, then 188 requests for an investigation would hit the spot. Requests from the actual ones threatened would carry a lot more weight than anything we might say.

We sure live in interesting times......

[perfecho]

The MP's words were, "we have to have proof of such accusations" and "what exactly do you want me to do?"
Where would this letter be????
It will only be investigated if people direct them to......won't do it on their own and unless we direct out politicians to do so, again, nothing will be done.

[perfecho]

Looked into story a bit, interestingly enough, people wish to remain "off record", so as they are not totally black balled. They are winning, we continue to lose. Got to love free monopoly....er sorry...free enterprise

[Kathy]

According to this blog, the problems between Northwest Consolidated Beef Producers and XL Lakeside has been settled.... read the article though, you might agree with me that this needs further clarification as to HOW it has been resolved... did NWCBP cave to XL and agree not to sell cull cows??

http://thebadger.ca/2010/02/02/beef-group-makes-up-with-nilsson/

"Beef group makes up with Nilsson
2 February 2010
By Sheri Monk

All’s well that ends well – at least in the world of selling fat cattle to Canada’s largest buyer.

Last week, The Badger published a letter sent by the management of Northwest Consolidated Beef Producers warning members that XL Lakeside (owned by Nilsson Bros. Inc) had threatened not to buy fat cattle if the group continued to sell cull cows. Additionally, the letter said that XL Lakeside buyers may have intended to approach members directly, thereby cutting out the need for the non-profit marketing co-operative. A senior spokesperson for XL Lakeside claimed no knowledge of the event.
On Jan. 27, Northwest Consolidated Beef Producers issued a press release stating the issue had been resolved.
“The events being reported regarding XL Lakeside’s decision to no longer bid on fat cattle from Northwest Consolidated Beef Producers show list have been resolved,” said Terry Schetzsle, Northwest’s managing director. “XL Lakeside will continue to bid on Northwest’s members’ cattle as usual and business between these two companies has resumed as of today. We all recognize that with so few major packers it makes marketing difficult at the best of times. This situation and us getting it resolved underscores the importance of having a group like Northwest to help producers in the marketplace.”

Schetzsle declined to comment on the matter, referring any questions to the company’s marketing manager, Vern Lonsberry.

Lonsberry would not elaborate on what caused the dispute – cull cows represent very little of the co-operative’s offering, which is focused on fat cattle. Lonsberry referred any request for comment or explanation back to Schetzsle.

The 140-member co-operative was established in 2006 to aid producers marketing finished cattle with price discovery and is the largest volume seller of fat cattle in Canada on a cash basis."