FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2005

FINLEY QUESTIONS AGRICULTURE MINISTER’S STONEWALLING ON
GRAIN COMMISSION REVIEW

OTTAWA – Today in Question Period, Conservative Agriculture and Agri-food critic Diane Finley questioned Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell’s failure to initiate a mandatory review of the Canada Grain Act.

Bill C-40, which received Royal Assent on May 19th of this year, legislated that an independent and comprehensive review of the Canada Grain Act be completed within one year of the Bill coming into force. This mandatory review has the widespread support of the Canadian grain industry and was made possible due to an amendment tabled by Finley.

“So far, the Agriculture Minister has done nothing to make this legislated review happen. This minister fails to act on a growing list of needed reforms to the Canada Grain Act and how the Canadian Grain Commission operates,” said Finley.

“First Estey and Kroeger were ignored. Then a 2002 industry review panel was ignored. And now this Liberal government is even ignoring its own legislation. This is completely unacceptable and once again demonstrates the low priority this government places on Canada’s grain producers,” said Finley.

“The Canadian grain industry wants results, not just empty rhetoric and reports gathering dust. I will continue to keep the government’s feet to the fire to ensure that badly needed reforms of the Canadian Grain Commission are not just talked about, but carried out”, concluded Finley.

– 30 –