Judge Rules Agriculture Minister Breached Wheat Board Act

December 7, 2011, Winnipeg – A Federal Court judge has ruled that Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz breached the Canadian Wheat Board Act by making changes without holding a plebiscite among producers.

December 7, 2011, Winnipeg – A
Federal Court judge has ruled that Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz
breached the Canadian Wheat Board Act by making changes without holding a
plebiscite among producers.

Justice Douglas Campbell says Section 47.1 of the act requires the minister to consult farmers before making change to the board's structure.

Ritz introduced legislation in Parliament in October to end the wheat board's marketing monopoly on western wheat and barley by next August.

Government lawyers had argued that governments are free to amend or repeal laws as they see fit.

Campbell says pushing ahead without consultation led to court action that might not have been necessary.

Human Resources Minister Diane Finley stood up in the House of Commons after the decision and said the government will appeal the ruling.