News Articles

March 16, 2008
Winnipeg Free Press
By: Mia Rabson

Opposition rejects new grain commission head

Former Reform MP Hermanson called too partisan

OTTAWA -- The House of Commons agriculture committee voted this week to reject the appointment of Elwin Hermanson as the chief commissioner of the Winnipeg-based Canadian Grain Commission.

But federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz intends to proceed with the appointment regardless, calling the vote an opposition stunt.

Elwin Hermanson was the Tories' choice as head of the Canadian Grain Commission.

Hermanson -- a former Reform MP and former leader of the Saskatchewan Party -- is too partisan for the job, says Liberal agriculture critic and committee member Wayne Easter.

"We expect (the chief commissioner) to be an independent voice," said Easter. "His role is not to be just another voice for the minister and for the (Stephen) Harper machine."

Hermanson crossed the line, Easter said, when he wrote an opinion piece in the Western Producer last month. In the article, Hermanson supported the government's controversial legislation that alters the services and regulatory oversight of the grain commission.

The commission -- headquartered in Winnipeg -- regulates grain-handling and sets and maintains standards for Canadian grain quality.

Bob Kingston, vice-president of the Agriculture Union of the Public Service Alliance of Canada, said he appreciates the message the committee sent to the government by rejecting Hermanson's appointment.

Kingston said it is disconcerting that Hermanson was speaking out in favour of Bill C-39, when employees of the commission were warned not to do so.
He also said Hermanson is just too close to Ritz to be impartial, noting as a Reform MP, Hermanson represented the same riding Ritz represents now.

As well, Ritz used to work for Hermanson, and Hermanson also helped Ritz with his election campaign, says Kingston.

The agriculture committee has more opposition MPs on it than government MPs because of the Conservatives' minority situation in Parliament. That gave the opposition MPs enough votes to reject Hermanson's appointment.
However, the vote of the committee is not binding and Ritz said the opposition MPs' behaviour was "a disgraceful, partisan stunt." He said they proved they have no respect for a lifetime of experience in agriculture.

"This government has every confidence in Mr. Hermanson's ability to lead the Canadian Grain Commission as it modernizes its operations serve Canadian farmers better," said Ritz.

© Winnipeg Free Press

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