Improper Use of Farmer’s Money

In recent days, the rumours have been verified: Cereals Canada wants to use farmers money to build a new agriculture building in Winnipeg. “Make no mistake, there is a softening within the agricultural industry now and wasting money on an unneeded shiny new building does not benefit farmers or the grain industry,” stated Gunter Jochum, President.

Like most urban centres, Winnipeg has a vacancy rate of over 12% and property owners would jump at the chance to have industry clients paying the long-term lease. It has become public that some members are ending their participation and opting out. This raises questions about who will remain and how the operations will be funded moving forward.

The lack of transparency to producers is troubling, and it seems forgotten that the funds the commissions manage are not their own but are collected from farmer deliveries. Some commissions have multi-million-dollar accounts, and good governance dictates that board decisions on spending provide assurance that the limited dollars we have in Canada for research and development are spent in the best interests of the farmers.

Commissions and organizations need to collaborate to ensure the dollars you as farmers contribute go to beneficial research. The duplication and waste of farmer dollars needs to stop if our industry is truly the master of its own success. It must also be recognized that grain companies market grain internationally, not farmers which makes a cohesive collaboration critical to continually grow the industry.

With membership uncertainty, is it time for Cereals Canada to do an unbiased and transparent review on their future role and direction that ensures it’s in the best interest of all stakeholders? Until this important question can be answered any new building discussions need to be put on hold.

“Farmers hold the ultimate voting authority by deciding whether to leave their money in the commissions or to withdraw it, depending on how they view their dollars are spent. These important decisions should not be based on which group repeats a narrative and says it louder,” continued Jochum.

The Wheat Growers want to take this opportunity to change the narrative on how farmers money is being spent as well as an opportunity to inject accountability into the checkoff system.  The full op-ed may be read here. The proposed new building is just one example lacking in transparency and accountability, as is the duplication of research by multiple commissions. Now is the time for farmers to voice their opinions loudly.