By paNOW Staff

CWB set to hold plebiscite, ballots going out next week

Jul 6, 2011 | 10:46 AM

Ballots are going out to almost 70,000 prairie farmers next week.

They're being sent out by the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), which has decided if the federal government won't hold a vote on the future of the wheat board, it will.

The CWB today announced that MNP, a chartered accounting and business advisory firm, has been contracted to administer a Prairie-wide plebiscite on the future of the organization.

“Through this Prairie-wide plebiscite, farmers will be asked if they want to sell all wheat and all barley through the CWB's single desk, or through an open market,” said CWB board chair Allen Oberg in a news release.

The federal government has said it wants to remove the board's monopoly and give farmers a choice of who they sell their grain to.

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

1h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

4h ago

Raiders AGM

Raiders impact on Prince Albert local economy continues to go up: AGM report

23h ago

Oberg noted that MNP LLP is the company that oversees CWB director elections, and has the experience and resources required to ensure proper administration of the process. “I encourage all farmers to vote and make their voices heard on the future of the CWB,” Oberg said.

Voting packages should arrive in farmers' mailboxes by July 22.

MNP has created a Web site (www.cwbvote.ca) and phone line (1-877-780-VOTE) to provide detailed information about the plebiscite to farmers.

news@panow.com