CWB election process flawed: Western Canadian Wheat Growers

A farm advocacy group is renewing it's call for change to how Canadian Wheat Board elections are done.

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers said the low voter turnout in the recent election highlights deficiencies in the process.

Voter turnout was 41 per cent, down significantly from the 53 per cent in the election held two years ago. 

President Kevin Bender said, so called hobby or retired farmers skew the election results.

“We don't think they should vote because they're not depending on the farm for their income. We believe it's farmers … that rely on the farm for their lively hood should have the most say in the election procedure.”

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Bender said there needs to be a minimum tonnage threshold that removes these farmers from the voters list.

“We tried here before this last election to get the federal agriculture minister …  to make those changes to the election procedures but it didn't happen in time.  That's probably an avenue we will continue to pursue.”

The Wheat Growers remain determined to gain marketing freedom through legislative or regulatory changes that would give each and every farmer the freedom to sell their grain to any buyer, including a voluntary CWB.    

bbosker@panow.com