Newsroom
2002
February 22, 2002
CWB Directors to meet with farmers across the Prairies
Winnipeg - The farmer-elected directors of the CWB will take to the roads of rural Western Canada to meet with farmers and get their feedback on CWB policies and operations. CWB accountability meetings are scheduled to run from March 4 to March 21, 2002 at over 40 locations across the Prairies.
"Since the CWB is a farmer controlled organization, it's important that the farmer-elected directors be held accountable for the decisions and performance of the CWB," said Ken Ritter, Chairman of the CWB's Board. "We take these accountability meetings seriously and will be addressing issues important to farmers and their farming operations."
Discussion at the meetings will focus on the recent decision on the U.S. trade challenge, the Auditor General's report on the CWB, the new transportation environment and market prospects for the new crop year.
Directors are also seeking farmers' opinions on how the CWB can better serve their needs. These needs will include higher levels of cash advances, new pricing options, changes to the contracting program among others. "What's important about these meetings is participation by farmers to get their input on what direction and services they want from their organization," said Ritter.
The elected directors representing the various areas across Western Canada include:
Art Macklin - northwest Alberta and Peace River area
James Chatenay - west central Alberta
Larry Hill - southern Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan
Ian McCreary - central Saskatchewan
Ken Ritter - east central Alberta and westcentral
Saskatchewan
John Clair - northeast Alberta and northern Saskatchewan
Micheal Halyk - east central Saskatchewan
Rod Flaman - south eastern Saskatchewan
Bill Nicholson - eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba
Wilf Harder - south central Manitoba
The dates, locations and times for the meetings are available on the CWB Web site, www.cwb.ca or call 1-800-ASK-4-CWB (1-800-275-4292).
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells grain to more than 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less the costs of marketing, to Prairie farmers.