They say they feel like they’re just getting the hang of things, but five of the Canadian Wheat Board’s elected directors will have to face the voters again in a few months.
“Two years seem to slide by awful quick,” said Jim Chatenay, who intends to run again in district 2 in central Alberta.
The board last week called for proposals from companies interested in co-ordinating this fall’s election.
While the exact timing of the vote will be up to the co-ordinator, board officials say it’s expected nominations will close in early September, with the mail-in ballot taking place in November.
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Directors will be elected in the five even-numbered districts. While the term of office is officially four years, it was decided that half the board would be elected every two years, leaving those in the even-numbered districts to start with a two-year term.
“Two years isn’t really a very long time,” said Ian McCreary, who intends to run again in district 6.
All of the incumbents elected in the fall of 1998 seem likely to run again. In interviews last week, Ken Ritter in district 4, Terry Hanson in district 8, Chatenay and McCreary were definite about their plans, while Butch Harder in district 10 said he’s “leaning towards running” but hasn’t made a final decision.
While any of the districts could provide for interesting races, two of the contests are almost guaranteed to attract attention.
Board chair Ken Ritter, who ran as a supporter of dual marketing and defeated four other candidates who campaigned as CWB supporters, has since become a high profile proponent of the board’s single desk marketing authority and an advocate of a strong role for the board in grain transportation. Dual marketers are expected to mount a strong challenge against Ritter this time.
Chatenay, the lone dual market supporter at the board table, has found himself in hot water with other directors on several occasions for public comments he has made that were critical of board decisions.
The Red Deer farmer said he wants to give his constituents a chance to pass judgment on his performance.
“They can either give me support or boot me out.”
Chatenay also predicted dual marketers and board critics will take the election more seriously than they did two years ago and run stronger campaigns in all districts.
“Last time they were kind of sleeping at the switch, whereas the pro-board guys and the single desk lovers were all ready to go and couldn’t wait,” he said. “I think this time the election will really mean something because everybody can see it’s for real.”
