The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)
2007.03.06
"Man. wants vote halted
Manitoba Agriculture Minister Rosann Wowchuk has formally called on the federal government to halt its barley plebiscite, saying the vote on the Canadian Wheat Board's future is riddled with errors.
In a letter sent to Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl, Wowchuk said the controversial three-question ballot, votes that can be traced back to the farmer and the fact some producers will be allowed to vote more than once, has made a mockery of the plebiscite.
"The ballot question and voting process for your vote has caused concern for many producers," Wowchuk wrote in the letter sent Friday.
"I feel that the vote has now been compromised to the extent that it does not satisfy the federal government's requirements to consult with producers and will not yield clear results."
In an interview Monday, Wowchuk said she hopes her letter convinces Strahl to go back to the drawing board with his barley plebiscite.
But Strahl's office made clear the Tories aren't about to change course with the plebiscite of some 80,000 barley producers who have to have their ballots postmarked by March 13".
Somebody needs to tell Rosann Wowchuk that there is a difference between a PLEBISCITE and LEGISLATION.
Parsley
2007.03.06
"Man. wants vote halted
Manitoba Agriculture Minister Rosann Wowchuk has formally called on the federal government to halt its barley plebiscite, saying the vote on the Canadian Wheat Board's future is riddled with errors.
In a letter sent to Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl, Wowchuk said the controversial three-question ballot, votes that can be traced back to the farmer and the fact some producers will be allowed to vote more than once, has made a mockery of the plebiscite.
"The ballot question and voting process for your vote has caused concern for many producers," Wowchuk wrote in the letter sent Friday.
"I feel that the vote has now been compromised to the extent that it does not satisfy the federal government's requirements to consult with producers and will not yield clear results."
In an interview Monday, Wowchuk said she hopes her letter convinces Strahl to go back to the drawing board with his barley plebiscite.
But Strahl's office made clear the Tories aren't about to change course with the plebiscite of some 80,000 barley producers who have to have their ballots postmarked by March 13".
Somebody needs to tell Rosann Wowchuk that there is a difference between a PLEBISCITE and LEGISLATION.
Parsley
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