A prominent voice in the debate over the future of grain marketing wants to become a Canadian Wheat Board director.
Jeff Nielsen, a farmer from Olds, Alta., and president of the Western Barley Growers Association, plans to run in District 2 in west-central Alberta.
That district has been represented by open market supporter Jim Chatenay since the elected board was established in 1998. He is ineligible to run for a fourth term.
Nielsen said he is running to bring in an open market option while maintaining a strong CWB without monopoly powers.
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“I’ve always supported choice but I know western Canadian farmers also want to see some sort of CWB in place,” he said.
While Chatenay won by comfortable margins twice and was acclaimed in 2004, Nielsen said he isn’t taking anything for granted.
He said one of his priorities will be to re-educate voters about the election process and procedures, noting there hasn’t been an election in the district since 2000.
Elections will be held in the five even-numbered districts this fall. Incumbents Ken Ritter in District 4 and Ian McCreary in District 6 will not be eligible to run again. Incumbents Rod Flaman in District 8 and Bill Toews in District 10 have indicated they intend to seek re-election.
