national farmers union

SWIFT CURRENT, Sask.-The Canadian Grain Commission has hired Gordon Pugh as a liaison person with the Federal cabinet. In a letter sent today to the Chief Commissioner of the CGC, the NFU raises numerous questions about the appropriateness of this hiring.

Please see attached letter to Barry Senft.

The NFU believes that the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food should hold hearings on the CGC and the controversial cuts and changes it proposes in its Program and Governance Review papers.

The Canadian Wheat Board, the province of Saskatchewan, the NFU, and other farm groups have all voiced concerns over the CGC's proposals.

For More Information:

• Stewart Wells, NFU Sask. Board Member: (306) 773-6852
• Darrin Qualman, Executive Secretary: (306) 652-9465

October 7, 1999

Dear Commissioner Senft:

The National Farmers Union has some questions regarding the recent hiring of Gordon Pugh as Manager of National Affairs.

In your newspaper advertisement, you state that a Manager of National Affairs will: "act as a liaison between the Chief Commissioner and Senior Executive of the Canadian Grain Commission and the Minister, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and senior officials of Treasury Board, Finance, and the Privy Council Office."

Could you send the NFU a more detailed job description? We are uncertain what, exactly, this new manager will do. Given that the Chief Commissioner of the CGC reports directly to the Minister of Agriculture, it is not clear to use that CGC accountability or access would be improved by hiring a liaison person. Further, given that we have three paid Commissioners, would it not be possible for one of them to fill the proposed role?

The CGC has pointed to its projected deficit to justify the cuts and changes proposed in its Program and Governance Reviews. These cuts and changes include the proposal to cut the number of front-line grain inspectors by centralizing inspection. Given the tight budget situation, is it a prudent move to hire a liaison person while, simultaneously, laying off grain inspectors?

Finally, as you know, the NFU is concerned that the CGC has strayed from its mandate to "establish and maintain standards of quality for Canadian grain and regulate grain handling in Canada..." "in the interests of grain producers." We are concerned that the grain handling industry is gaining an inappropriate level of influence over the Commission and that many of the ill-conceived recommendations in the Program and Governance Reviews result from that influence. Are you certain that Gordon Pugh-with his background in the grain handling industry (Sask. Wheat Pool)-understands that the CGC's job is to regulate grain companies and protect farmers?

We regret the need to meddle in what would ordinarily be internal CGC business. However, the changes that CGC senior officials propose in their Program and Governance Reviews indicate a clear lack of understanding regarding the proper role and structure of the CGC. In light of this, we feel that a higher degree of scrutiny for CGC affairs is appropriate.

The National Farmers Union remains committed to a strong, dynamic, and effective Canadian Grain Commission adequately funded and able to carry out its critical dual roles of protecting Canada's valuable reputation for high-quality grain and protecting farmers' interests within the grain handling system.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Stewart Wells
Saskatchewan Board member
National Farmers Union

cc: Minister of Agriculture Lyle Vanclief