WINNIPEG - A Federal Court judge has refused to fast-track the Canadian Wheat Board's challenge of a government gag order.
The decision means the case won't be heard until after the federal government's plebiscite on the board's monopoly on barley sales Jan. 31 to March 6.
Board lawyer John McDougall argued in court Monday that the board couldn't properly inform farmers about the issues because directors and staff were afraid they'd violate the government order.
Last October, the federal cabinet said the wheat board could not spend money to advocate to keep its monopoly on wheat and barley sales.
Government lawyer Steve Vincent argued the issue wasn't urgent because the wheat board waited until December to try to mount a challenge.
A spokesman for federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl has said board staff and elected directors are free to speak out, as long as they do it on their own time and at their own expense.
