Garth Whyte, president and chief
executive officer of Restaurants Canada, is miffed by the lack of response from
the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission.
The commission is reviewing chicken
pricing and accepting submissions, but has so far not answered a letter Whyte
wrote the commission early this month requesting further information.
Whyte also says the commission won't allow Restaurants Canada to participate in the pricing review, not even as an observer, let alone an intervenor.
Nothing commission chairman Gerry Kamenz does surprises me. I can't think of a more incompetent government appointee in Ontario.
Members of Restaurants Canada are
second only to supermarkets as customers for Ontario-grown chicken.
Whyte has decided to go public, posting
an open letter on the association’s website.
Here’s what he wrote to the commission:
“Canada’s restaurant industry purchases
approximately $2.2 billion a year in Canadian chicken. It is a popular
menu item at many of our members’ restaurants, and Restaurants Canada has long
said it would like to be a full partner in promoting the growth and further
development of the chicken industry.
“Your commission is currently examining the cost of production (COP) formula used in setting the price of Ontario chicken. This process is important because the price set for chicken in Ontario determines the price charged for chicken across the whole country.
“As you are aware, the commission requested input on the proposed amendments to determine the "minimum live prices for chickens that Ontario producers are paid.” On Oct. 8, we sent you a letter requesting:
- a copy of all the amendments proposed,
along with proposed prices and costs; and
- a full description of the cost of
production formula in place since 2002, including any modifications either
in formula or assigned costs/prices.
“Restaurants Canada has not received
any response. We are frustrated because we want to contribute to the
important review work taking place and respond to the amendments you are
considering.
“The restaurant industry is Canada’s
second-largest purchaser of chicken and has been denied intervener – even
observer – status during this review.
“Our association is unable to respond
to the commission’s invitation to provide commentary on the proposed amendments
by the deadline of Nov. 6, because these amendments have not been made known. “For
that matter, details of the COP used since 2002 have also not been shared
publicly.
“As a result, outside interveners like ourselves
don’t know if amendments proposed by the current review significantly advance
the consumer, our industry and – ultimately – the public interest.”
Earlier this year the commission
ordered the Chicken Farmers of Ontario marketing board to roll back prices to
more accurately reflect current feed-conversion rates.
