The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association have filed legal action against the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) for its misuse of farmers’ money.
The Wheat Growers and three of its farmer members have filed an application with the Federal Court today seeking a judicial review to determine whether the CWB and its Chair Allen Oberg are in violation of the CWB’s own legislation and Governor Orders in Council instructing the CWB not to expend funds, directly or indirectly, advocating for the retention of its monopoly.
The Wheat Growers are also seeking an injunction to prevent the CWB from advancing its legal action against the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, which attempts to prevent the federal government from passing legislation to create an open market for wheat and barley in western Canada.
The CWB case is causing needless uncertainty in the marketplace. Such uncertainty imposes a cost on the industry by undermining the ability of farmers and the trade to make forward plans.
“The Wheat Growers contend the CWB and its directors have no right to use farmers’ money to advance a political agenda,” says Kevin Bender, President of the Wheat Growers. “If certain directors wish to spend money on a political campaign, they should be using their own money, not mine.”
The Wheat Growers have retained the Saskatchewan-based firm of McDougall Gauley LLP to represent the Association in this action. Also joining the action are three individual farmers, one from each of the three prairie provinces.
“The Wheat Growers are taking this action to ensure farmers’ money is not misspent,” says Gerrid Gust, Chair of the Wheat Growers. “We also want to ensure the CWB is not allowed to stand in the way of our grain marketing freedom.”
