WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Farmers who have not yet received a ballot on the future of the CWB must apply for a ballot by Aug. 8 if they wish to vote.

"Voting packages were mailed two weeks ago and should be in farmer mailboxes by now," said plebiscite coordinator Ian Craven of MNP, a chartered accounting and business advisory firm. "Farmers who have not received a ballot by mail can still vote, if they meet the eligibility criteria. These producers should apply immediately for a ballot."

The voting criteria are:

  • Producers of wheat in the past five crop years are eligible to vote on the future of the single desk for wheat.
  • Producers of barley in the past five crop years are eligible to vote on the future of the single desk for barley.
  • Producers of both wheat and barley in the past five crop years are eligible to vote on the future of each crop.

Eligibility to vote can be established in two ways:

  • Producers who did not deliver to the CWB can submit an application that contains either a grain delivery receipt (cash ticket) or a statutory declaration.
  • Producers who delivered wheat or barley to the CWB in the past five years but did not appear on an active permit in 2009-10 or 2010-11 can confirm the delivery with plebiscite coordinator MNP.

To apply for a ballot or for more information on how to vote in the plebiscite, call MNP at 1.877.CWB.VOTE or visit www.cwbvote.ca.

Return ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 24.