Newsroom
2002
December 16, 2002
Farmers' voice heard in CWB Director elections
Winnipeg – Farmers have chosen their representatives for the next four years in the five districts where CWB director elections were being held this fall. The elections results, as announced yesterday by the election coordinator, Meyers Norris Penny, are as follows:
- District 1 – Arthur Macklin (incumbent)
- District 3 – Larry Hill (incumbent)
- District 5 – Allen Oberg (new director)
- District 7 – Dwayne Anderson (new director)
- District 9 – Bill Nicholson (incumbent)
“Farmers have spoken through the ballot box,” said Ken Ritter, chair of the farmer-controlled CWB board of directors. “All of the candidates who let their name stand should be congratulated for the time and effort that they devoted to the campaign. I look forward to working with the successful candidates and building on the work that the board of directors has done since 1998 when control of the company was put in farmers’ hands.”
Voter turnout in the five electoral districts was the highest ever at 43.4 per cent, compared to 40.6 per cent in 2000 and 42.5 in 1998.
“Everyone would like to see these levels even higher,” added Ritter. “But this is a solid turnout, especially for a mail in ballot. Both the level of participation and the diversity of views expressed by the candidates demonstrate how important these elections have become.”
Of the five elected directors, four expressed strong support for the CWB’s single desk system of marketing grain during the election campaign.
“This confirms what has been said on many occasions,” Ritter stated. “Farmers in the majority of the districts continue to support the single desk. We call on everyone who has been appealing to the federal government to unilaterally change the CWB’s mandate to respect farmers’ will on this issue.”
The new board of directors will be assembling in Winnipeg in mid-January. A regularly-scheduled board meeting as well as a long-term strategic planning session will be held at that time.
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 marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.
For more information, please contact:
Ken Ritter
Chair of the CWB board of directors
Kindersley, SK
(306) 463-5943
Louise Waldman
CWB Media Relations Manager
Winnipeg, MB
(204) 299-8398