The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association has instructed lawyers to commence legal action against the Canadian Wheat Board and eight of its directors for their misuse of farmers’ money.
“We have been contemplating legal action against the CWB for quite some time now,” says Kevin Bender, President of the Wheat Growers. “The CWB’s decision to file a legal action against the federal Minister of Agriculture was the tipping point. We cannot stand idly by and watch the CWB directors continue to misuse our money.”
The Wheat Growers have instructed a reputable law firm to pursue an injunction and all available measures necessary to stop the CWB from misusing farmer funds for political purposes, including the legal action launched yesterday by the CWB.
“The CWB and its board of directors have a duty to safeguard monies received from the sale of grain,” says Gerrid Gust, Chair of the Wheat Growers. “This is not their personal slush fund. They have no right to use farmers’ funds to advance a political agenda.”
Gust continues, “If certain CWB directors wish to take legal action against the federal government they should have to reach into their own pocket. They should not be allowed to reach into mine.”
The formal application to the courts is expected to be filed early next week.
“The Wheat Growers are looking forward to an open market for wheat and barley,” says Bender. “By taking this action, we hope to prevent the CWB from wasting our money and standing in the way of legislation that will give us the freedom to sell our own grain.”
