And the winner is .....

CWB Plebiscite Results To Be Released Today
By Kevin Heppner
Friday, September 9, 2011

The results from the Canadian Wheat Board's own producer plebiscite are expected to be released today.

Accounting and advisory firm MNP administered the vote and will be releasing the results as soon as they are tabulated and scrutinized, which could be as late as this evening. The possibility of recounts or unforeseen technical difficulties could also affect timing of the release.

The CWB Board of Directors has said it will act according to the results of the plebiscite. Chair Allen Oberg has repeatedly called on federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz to respect the results, even though they are non-binding.

Earlier this week, Ritz called the vote "seriously flawed," noting "many non-farmers, multiple land holders and even deceased farmers received a ballot." He says the CWB refuses to recognize that every farmer, regardless of whether they support the monopoly or not, should be able to choose how they market their grain.
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Postscript

We were in the Federal Court of Canada covering a hearing related to the plebiscite this morning about which we'll have more to say shortly. Apparently, the voter turnout was heavy.

Sincerely,
Clare L. Pieuk