Ethics & Integrity

[silverback]

Just heard on the radio that Jeff Nielsen has resigned his directors post.

Would sure like to hear his thoughts on what was happening in that boardroom.

[wilagro]

Considering his background, it doesn't surprise me at all.

[cropduster]

The donkeys suspended him for his comments at the travelling road show---so we can`t even know if he was IN the boardroom or left in the hall like Chatenay........sound mature,progressive and PROFESSIONAL...running a multibillion dollar corp directors to you??????

[blackpowder]

I'm sure we all expected it.
Perhaps it's time for a higher authority to apply some brakes to the junta thats left. Comments I've read imply that even the appointed directors are being ignored.

[malta]

I hadn't heard about Jeff resigning. He has been a good representative for us working under difficult circumstances. Sadly now the only two elected directors who were working to develop a workable voluntary board are gone. Bill 18 needs to pass soon, so that the gang of 8 will be gone and the new board can get on with running the CWB and planning for the future.

[katoe]

He probably reseigned so ritz can appoint him .Its really not that complicated.

[bucket]

Sounds like he resigned because he didn't agree with the cwb going to court with the government and maybe he didn't want his name attached to a stupid courtcase. That along with the obvious liability issue.

The crazy eight could end up with some mighty hefty court charges because they have been told by court order not to spend farmers' money.

[jimbobobaroo]

Here is Jeff's letter for all to read. Anyone who
knows him could not say that does not have
integrity.

October 31, 2011

Dear Friends and Fellow Producers,

I would like to let you know about the difficult
decision I made earlier today to resign immediately
as the director of District 2 for the Canadian Wheat
Board. To those of you whom I consulted prior to
making this decision, I would like to thank you for
your advice and direction. To others, I offer this
explanation.

In recent months, as the Government of Canada has
build momentum to bring about positive and
exciting changes, several board members have
resisted all change in favour of the status quo. As I
noted in my letter of resignation to Allen Oberg, the
chairman of the CWB, I cannot condone his and
other directors’ “continued lack of understanding
and respect to producers in Western Canada.

“This lack of understanding and respect was
apparent at what should have been informative,
forward-moving producer meetings this past
summer, yet your and other directors’ personal
fight to maintain the status quo has prevailed. You
personally have said you recognize the need for
proactive change, and that view is reflected by
producers in the CWB’s annual surveys. This,
however, has not been reflected in your ongoing
leadership or public actions or comments.”

Also I noted that: “More recently, the board’s
decision to take legal action against the federal
government—even after hearing from our counsel
and our external counsel that such a challenge
would be fruitless and would have little to no effect
on the government moving ahead with Bill C-18—
shows a total disrespect for producers and the
stable government infrastructure that underpins our
society. The CWB has an opportunity to move
forward and adapt with farmers to help them
compete in the global marketplace. You and other
directors committed to the status quo have instead
chosen a path of self-destruction. It is truly an
unfortunate day for producers of wheat and barley.”

As someone who has worked for years to see wheat
and barley continue to be successful crops in
Western Canada my decision to resign is regretful.
Being 100% committed to representing the interests
and views of producers, I had little option but to
resign from the CWB.

Sincerely



Jeff Nielsen

[gregpet]

Remember it's Ritz who has an agenda and is
following an ideology. <b> Note the CWB has been
advised by their own legal team and an outside legal
team that any type of court action would be frivilous.
</b> Of course the CWB has no agenda or
idealogical motive, right?

[disker]

Sorry to see that Jeff had to resign but with the
total lack of sense that is happening it pretty
much had to happen. Its too bad personal
agendas of a few can be so detrimental to
something that may have had a chance to move
forward in a more productive manner.
Curt