Oppose amendments to Canada Grain Act

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and the Agriculture Union are working together to oppose the politically-motivated job cuts at the Canadian Grain Commission.

Just before Christmas the Conservative government tabled Bill C-39, an Act to Amend the Canada Grain Act, in the House of Commons.

This Act is another example of the Harper government's ideological devotion to privatization and free-market economics.

In the early 1900s, grain farmers in Canada were at the mercy of the grain companies who often had monopolies that offered "take-it-or-leave-it" prices to farmers. The creation of the Canadian Grain Commission was a direct response to this abuse.

"The proposed changes will decimate long standing Grain regulations and lay off our members who enforce the regulations that protect Canadian Grain farmers and their families," said Bob Kingston, the First Executive Vice-President of the Agriculture Union, a PSAC Component. "What is really ironic and deeply disturbing about this proposed legislation is that it eliminates the protections for farmers from multinational corporations that the Act was originally designed to do while leaving the the rights and privileges of those corporations completely untouched."

The National Farmers Union, which speaks on behalf of family farmers, says that the "amendments will remove the requirement that the Canadian Grain Commission operate as a public interest watchdog that regulates the overall grain industry 'in the interests of producers'". If the Bill passes the grain industry would become virtually self-regulating. Farmers' protections will be reduced to a minimal level, while the legislation leaves the door open for companies to be able to circumvent those limited protections. Multinational grain companies that already control close to 80% of the global grain trade.

National Farmers Union President Stewart Wells concluded that the Harper Government appears intent on "turning back the clock to the 1800s, when there was no Canadian Grain Commission."

At the same time, the Conservative Government has done nothing to fund the Canadian Grain Commission that has had its funding and fee structure frozen since 1991.

The Bill proposes to end mandatory inward inspection and inward weighing of grain. Farmers and inspectors both believe that inward inspection is essential in order to guarantee a fair weight and grade for both farmers and customers. Eliminating inward inspection also invites the contamination of grain elevators with infestations of insects and disease which, over the long term, will cost more money and damage Canada's reputation for consistent quality grain.

Inward inspection ensures that the harvests farmers produce are paid for fairly and transparently. Handing the inspection over to the multinational grain companies invites gouging.

"This Act is another example of the Harper government's attack on quality public services," says PSAC National President John Gordon. "About 200 workers whose job is to ensure transparency and fairness for grain farmers will lose their jobs if this Bill is passed."

The PSAC is asking that all PSAC members fax their Members of Parliament to protest this politically motivated initiative. Write your own letter or simply add your name, your address and the name of your MP to the sample letter below.