From The Winnipeg Sun
Wheat Board president fired
By Steve Lambert CP
ST. FRANCOIS XAVIER, Man. (CP) — Adrian Measner, a 32-year veteran of the Canadian Wheat Board, was fired Tuesday from his job as president following weeks of public bickering with federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl.
Strahl announced the move at a staged event on a farm just west of Winnipeg, where he was surrounded by a group of producers who oppose the board’s marketing monopoly over western wheat and barley.
Strahl has appointed former wheat board president Greg Arason as interim president for a three month transition period, adding that Arason supports Ottawa’s drive for marketing choice.
“Arason will focus on selling grain, not engaging in political action,” Strahl said inside a Quonset hut jammed with about 200 producers, who applauded the minister.
Arason was the former CEO of Manitoba Pool Elevators.
Measner has been critical of the Conservative government’s plan to allow western farmers to choose whether to sell their wheat and barley through the board or independently.
Critics say scrapping the board’s monopoly would effectively kill the farmer-run organization and result in lower prices.
Opponents of the board say producers should have the right to choose how they sell what they grow.
Strahl set off a Prairie firestorm this fall when he took the first step toward allowing farmers to market their own grain — a Conservative election promise.
The board, backed by the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments, the federal Liberals and NDP and several farm groups, maintains the Canadian Wheat Board Act requires the government to hold a plebiscite before taking any steps to remove the monopoly.
Strahl, who has the support of the Alberta government and some farm groups, has said he’ll hold a non-binding plebiscite on barley this winter, but won’t commit to a similar vote for wheat.
After Measner spoke out against the government plan in November, Strahl sent him a tersely worded letter giving him 14 days to change his stance or face dismissal.
Measner further irritated Strahl last week when he stood beside Stephane Dion as the new Liberal leader made a campaign-style promise to support the wheat board.
Last week, hundreds of farmers protested in Winnipeg to show their support for the board’s monopoly and Measner.
Earlier this month, individuals who support the monopoly won four of five district elections for the wheat board’s board of directors.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world.
One of Canada’s biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.
Measner, who was raised on a farm in Holdfast, Sask., has worked for the board since 1974, including nine years in charge of grain marketing and transportation. He became its second president and chief executive officer in January 2003.
Next story: Booze good for head trauma!
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I suggest Measner and the other singledeskers need to stronly consider reading the "Next Story"
Wheat Board president fired
By Steve Lambert CP
ST. FRANCOIS XAVIER, Man. (CP) — Adrian Measner, a 32-year veteran of the Canadian Wheat Board, was fired Tuesday from his job as president following weeks of public bickering with federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl.
Strahl announced the move at a staged event on a farm just west of Winnipeg, where he was surrounded by a group of producers who oppose the board’s marketing monopoly over western wheat and barley.
Strahl has appointed former wheat board president Greg Arason as interim president for a three month transition period, adding that Arason supports Ottawa’s drive for marketing choice.
“Arason will focus on selling grain, not engaging in political action,” Strahl said inside a Quonset hut jammed with about 200 producers, who applauded the minister.
Arason was the former CEO of Manitoba Pool Elevators.
Measner has been critical of the Conservative government’s plan to allow western farmers to choose whether to sell their wheat and barley through the board or independently.
Critics say scrapping the board’s monopoly would effectively kill the farmer-run organization and result in lower prices.
Opponents of the board say producers should have the right to choose how they sell what they grow.
Strahl set off a Prairie firestorm this fall when he took the first step toward allowing farmers to market their own grain — a Conservative election promise.
The board, backed by the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments, the federal Liberals and NDP and several farm groups, maintains the Canadian Wheat Board Act requires the government to hold a plebiscite before taking any steps to remove the monopoly.
Strahl, who has the support of the Alberta government and some farm groups, has said he’ll hold a non-binding plebiscite on barley this winter, but won’t commit to a similar vote for wheat.
After Measner spoke out against the government plan in November, Strahl sent him a tersely worded letter giving him 14 days to change his stance or face dismissal.
Measner further irritated Strahl last week when he stood beside Stephane Dion as the new Liberal leader made a campaign-style promise to support the wheat board.
Last week, hundreds of farmers protested in Winnipeg to show their support for the board’s monopoly and Measner.
Earlier this month, individuals who support the monopoly won four of five district elections for the wheat board’s board of directors.
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world.
One of Canada’s biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.
Measner, who was raised on a farm in Holdfast, Sask., has worked for the board since 1974, including nine years in charge of grain marketing and transportation. He became its second president and chief executive officer in January 2003.
Next story: Booze good for head trauma!
---------------------------------------
I suggest Measner and the other singledeskers need to stronly consider reading the "Next Story"
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