Regina, SK – Tom Lukiwski, Member of Parliament for Regina – Lumsden – Lake Centre, applauded the Conservative Government’s new legislation, the Canadian Wheat Board Payments and Election Reform Act. This bill would strengthen farmers’ voice within the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and streamline the process required to deliver payments to producers.
“Our farmers deserve to get paid quickly,” said Lukiwski. “This legislation will streamline the process required to pay farmers for their grain and make sure cheques hit mailboxes as quickly as possible.”
The bill eliminates a step in the process to pay producers for their grain. The current system requires analysis from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Finance, as well as Treasury Board approval before payments are delivered. Under the new legislation, Treasury Board approval will no longer be required. This could speed up the payment process by as much as three weeks.
“Streamlining payment approval will cut red tape, and reduce the number of steps it takes to pay farmers for the top-quality crops they produce,” added Lukiwski.
This legislation will also make sure that CWB board members are elected by farmers who are actually involved in producing at least 40 tonnes of grain. This approach is based on recommendations from the 2005 CWB Election Review Panel and the Wheat Board itself.
The introduction of this new legislation once again demonstrates that our Government is committed to increasing the CWB’s accountability to farmers.
Government of Canada Takes Action to Improve the Canadian Wheat Board Act
May 14, 2010
