Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz today unveiled the Canadian Wheat Board Payments and Election Reform Act that would change who can vote in wheat board elections and speed the delivery of adjustment payments.
The legislation confirms voting rights for grain farmers who produce 40 tonnes of grain in the last three years or who are entitled to 40 tonnes under a crop-share arrangement.
This approach is based on recommendations from the 2005 CWB Election Review Panel and the CWB.
The legislation also would eliminate a step in the process to pay producers for their grain, Ritz said.
The current system requires analysis from the federal departments of agriculture and finance, as well as Treasury Board approval before payments are delivered.
Under the new legislation, Treasury Board approval will no longer be required. It could speed up the payment process by as much as three weeks.
