Changes to producer voting requirements, as well as the payment process, are part of new reforms introduced recently by the federal government in the Canadian Wheat Board Payments and Election Reform Act.
Designed to strengthen the farmers’ voice within the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB), the legislation confirms voting rights for grain farmers who produce 40 tonnes of grain, or who are entitled to 40 tonnes under a crop-share arrangement.
“There was no threshold in previous elections,” said Larry Hill, CWB district 3 board member. “If a producer grew any of the other seven major grains, that qualified for a ballot. Landlords are identified in the new bill.”
The new 40-tonne requirement is based on recommendations from the 2005 CWB Election Review Panel and the CWB itself.
Hill admits the decision was not an easy one for the board to make.
“The board of directors passed a motion supporting change — not all directors support this and it was a difficult decision. Many farmers have concerns here. The independent review panel had a similar threshold of 40 tonnes along with other changes, and the board of directors has supported the panel's findings.”
The legislation eliminates a step in the process to pay producers for their grain. The current system requires analysis from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Finance, as well as Treasury Board approval before payments are delivered. Under the new legislation, Treasury Board approval will no longer be required, speeding up the process by as much as three weeks.
The measure is one that the CWB has been advocating for some time.
“The changes to payments are welcome,” said Hill. “The board of directors have advocated to speed payments for years. The board of directors offered to accept risk and take over adjustment and final payments.”