WINNIPEG (Staff) – United Grain Growers Ltd. delegates closed ranks behind president Ted Allen over the question of whether company officials can get involved in partisan politics.
The 180 delegates voted overwhelmingly against a resolution that would have barred members of the board of directors from holding an executive position with any political party.
Allen is one of three Manitoba members of the national executive council of the federal Reform party.
While the resolution didn’t single out Allen, delegate Ted Cawkwell of Kelvington, Sask. said later the motion came from local members concerned about Allen’s role in the Reform party.
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
Following the vote, the UGG president declined to answer questions on the matter.
“As part of my personal life and as a citizen who has a right to participate in politics, I have no comment,” he said.
The motion expressed concern that the company’s ability to lobby governments on behalf of farmer-members could be adversely affected if board members held high-profile political positions.
Personal decision
But most delegates who spoke during the brief debate said the company has no right to prevent individuals from getting involved in politics.
“I think it’s healthy … and we shouldn’t be discouraging it,” said Jim Galbraith of Gilbert Plains, Man., adding other grain company officials past and present have had well-known political affiliations. “I think this resolution stinks all the way.”
Roy Piper, UGG’s Saskatchewan vice-president, told delegates they should have confidence in the board’s judgment.
“We’re always aware of these things and we’re prepared to take the appropriate action,” he said.
In an interview later, Piper said if the board felt Allen’s political involvement, or similar activities by any other senior official, were hurting the company, the problem would be dealt with.
He said the board has no written policy on the matter, but deals with each situation as it arises. And he said he respects the wisdom of the delegates, who rejected the resolution almost unanimously.
