Canadian Wheat Board: Federal government calling for unlimited third party spending

http://www.manitobacooperator.ca/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=87857&PC=FBC&issue=08052008

Federal government calling for unlimited third party spending in CWB elections
FBC Staff
8/5/2008 10:47:00 AM
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The Harper government is proposing regulatory changes that would repeal a section of the regulations for the election of directors of the Canadian Wheat Board.

The move would throw open the door for unlimited spending by third parties in the debate by, "... removing the current $10,000 spending restriction on advertising expenses in place for third-party intervenors, and allowing third parties to freely disseminate information during the election period."

The announcement came late on the afternoon of Friday, August 1, just before the start of the long weekend, thus ensuring little media attention from both the farm press and general media.

The National Farmers' Union says the move is tantamount to encouraging unlimited propaganda against the CWB single desk during this fall's CWB director elections. "If the proposed regulations take effect, however, it would allow unlimited spending by government and corporate players to influence farmers' votes," the group wrote in a media release.


http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrSqaECQUSKDE3zVrmnc6PnfJM8Q

New Democrats decry Tory decision to open spending on wheat board elections

18 hours ago

OTTAWA — A plan by the Conservative government to throw open spending on elections at the Canadian Wheat Board could spell similar changes to federal election law under a Tory majority, the New Democrats warn.




One of the articles I read said the gov't communicated this in advance to the CWB, but said it would only be an inflationary adjustment to lift it from 10 000. Guess not!