News Articles

March 26, 2008
TB Television

Boshcoff says grain bill must be stopped

Local Canadian Grain Commission workers and their supporters are trying to stop legislation they say could cost the Thunder Bay area up to 100 jobs.

Bill C-39 is currently before the House of Commons, entering into its second reading and the bill could eliminate the Grain Commission from a very active role that officials say puts Canada's grain reputation at risk.

A new web site surfaced on Wednesday campaigning against Bill C-39, the controversial piece of legislation that makes amendments to the Canadian Grain Act by eliminating mandatory weighing and inspection by the Grain Commission. Officials say its a process that is needed to ensure the quality of the Canadian industry and maintain its reputation internationally.

President of the local Agriculture Union Don Beese says the bill is a direct threat to the grains trade which represents three quarters of the total shipments through the port of Thunder Bay.

Beese says if the bill is made law, as a Canadian citizen he will also then fear if the grain is safe and in turn the quality of food.

With the launch of the new website Beese says workers are encouraged to write a letter to their MPs with a direct link to their emails.

Thunder Bay Rainy River MP Ken Boshcoff says the bill has to be stopped. He explains that it is dramatically different from when it was first proposed. The bill is currently awaiting its second reading. Boshcoff says he was expecting it to come up in Parliament in January but he is still waiting for it to be listed on the agenda.

© TB Television

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