This Will Be Fascinating!
Amidst what appears to be a determined desire by the present government to make changes to the wheat and barley marketing system in western Canada, the political considerations and strategies are very interesting.
First a task force report that recommends changes to both over the next 5 years. This during elections for CWB Directors by produces.
Then Minister Strahl announces a barley marketing plebiscite only. Meanwhile everyone knows there is a minority parliament federally.
In a few day I heard the Minster speak at a news conference in Winnipeg to the west, and he now offers placating words to farmers. He assures them that their wheat will be sold exclusively, (the ’single desk’) through the CWB through the 2007-8 crop year. However, he does add he would like to see the CWB take the lead now in making business plans to modify itself to allow for farmer choice in the future.
This will prove to be interesting study in public policy, political strategy and communication strategies combined, I think. Of course that’s why we are here with this weblog.