Voting Opens for Alberta Wheat, Barley Merger

Barley and wheat farmers in Alberta can vote throughout the month of October on if Alberta Barley and the Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC) should formally amalgamate to form a single crop commission, an Oct. 4 news release said. The Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council, in collaboration with third-party election advisor MNP, have opened voting online and through the phone until 12 p.m. CDT on Nov. 1, 2022.

The release said farmers who have paid a levy on wheat or barley sales from Jan. 1, 2020 to April 30, 2022, including farmers who have requested refunds, will receive a voting pin in the mail they can use to cast their vote online or over the phone.

“Electronic voting provides barley and wheat farmers the chance to vote from anywhere – including the cabs of their combines,” Greg Sears, AWC chair, said in the release. “We hope for a strong voter turnout thanks to the ease of voting platform supporting both online and telephone, ensuring farmers’ voices are heard.”