News release
MINISTER STRAHL SIMPLIFIES PLEBISCITE PROCESS
OTTAWA, Ontario, February 1, 2007 - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today issued the following statement regarding the government's plebiscite on marketing choice for barley.
"Canada's New Government said it would consult with farmers and stakeholders. With this plebiscite, we're delivering on that commitment. To ensure the widest possible participation, I have asked officials to revise and simplify the producer declaration form that is required with the ballot. This has resulted in a delay of the mailing of the voters' package.
"I have instructed the international accounting firm KPMG LLP to mail the package to voters as quickly as possible.
"Eligible producers will still have the same length of time to vote, a total of five weeks. Ballots will be mailed out on Feb. 7 and the final day for ballots to be postmarked will be March 13. Eligible voters who have not received a package by Feb. 15 should contact the election coordinator at 1-800-3BARLEY (1-800-322-7539).
"Canada's New Government is committed to moving forward in providing marketing choice to western barley farmers, allowing them to maximize their returns, while continuing to preserve a strong Canadian Wheat Board."
For more information on marketing choice, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/cwb.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff Howard
Press Secretary
Minister Strahl's Office
613-759-1059
MINISTER STRAHL SIMPLIFIES PLEBISCITE PROCESS
OTTAWA, Ontario, February 1, 2007 - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today issued the following statement regarding the government's plebiscite on marketing choice for barley.
"Canada's New Government said it would consult with farmers and stakeholders. With this plebiscite, we're delivering on that commitment. To ensure the widest possible participation, I have asked officials to revise and simplify the producer declaration form that is required with the ballot. This has resulted in a delay of the mailing of the voters' package.
"I have instructed the international accounting firm KPMG LLP to mail the package to voters as quickly as possible.
"Eligible producers will still have the same length of time to vote, a total of five weeks. Ballots will be mailed out on Feb. 7 and the final day for ballots to be postmarked will be March 13. Eligible voters who have not received a package by Feb. 15 should contact the election coordinator at 1-800-3BARLEY (1-800-322-7539).
"Canada's New Government is committed to moving forward in providing marketing choice to western barley farmers, allowing them to maximize their returns, while continuing to preserve a strong Canadian Wheat Board."
For more information on marketing choice, please visit www.agr.gc.ca/cwb.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff Howard
Press Secretary
Minister Strahl's Office
613-759-1059
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