News Release
November 16, 2005

How much is CWB paying to lobby firms?

OTTAWA – Official Opposition Critic for the Canadian Wheat Board David L. Anderson is infuriated by the Canadian Wheat Board’s latest tactic to align itself as closely as possible to this Liberal Cabinet. The CWB has retained the services of a lobby firm that is closely connected to Paul Martin and the Liberal government. This information came to light when Members of Parliament received invitations to meet with representatives from the CWB. Global Public Affairs has been hired by the CWB to assist in its efforts to lobby the government.

“The CWB has consistently been spending more and more of farmers’ money to ingratiate itself with the current Liberal Cabinet,” stated Anderson. “David Herle, Paul Martin’s former campaign chair, has been attending CWB Board of Directors’ meetings. Reg Alcock’s former campaign manager, Avis Gray, is receiving a salary from the CWB as the Senior Advisor for Government Relations. Now we see the CWB hiring a lobby firm, Global Public Affairs, chock full of former employees from the Prime Minister’s Office and various Liberal Ministerial offices.”

“At a time when farmers are facing the lowest grain prices in years, the CWB sees fit to spend farmers’ money on a government lobby day? This is a government agency!” exclaimed Anderson. “Given the history of this Liberal government, farmers will be asking questions. The CWB has been increasing its non-marketing related spending and this is the last straw. Farmers can not afford this, nor do they want it.

“I would like to challenge the CWB to publicly tell farmers how much it is costing them to hire this Liberal firm,” continued Anderson. “Farmers have not been asked if this is how they want their money spent. I’m sure they will be interested to know that while the CWB is paying them the lowest initial grain prices in years, it can still find money to throw at prominent Liberals.”

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