This column marks the third in my series of Wheat Board-related articles. Today, I want to deal with some odds and ends of Wheat Board news.

This last week, the Federal Accountability Act was passed by the Senate. The Conservative government had introduced this legislation in response to the sponsorship scandal. The Accountability Act contains a provision which finally includes the Canadian Wheat Board under the Access to Information Act. This now allows the public to find out if the CWB is spending farmers’ money wisely. Commercially sensitive information is not included in this provision, however. Having personally been told by Wheat Board auditors about massive waste in the Canadian Wheat Board, I personally look forward to accountability finally coming to the CWB.

A few constituents have asked about changes to the Wheat Board’s voters list. About 16,000 names were dropped from the voters list. Producers were dropped if they had not delivered any Wheat Board grains in the last two years.

Names dropped off the voters list included those individuals who had left farming, shifted their operations away from traditional grain crops or had passed away. Some of the producers whose names were dropped had not delivered grain in over 10 years. For those producers who wanted their names added to the voters list because they still felt they were involved in farming, their names were added to the list. Approximately 1,600 people chose this option.

In closing, it is very important for farmers to vote on the barley plebiscite. Many farmers find it very offensive that other people are allowed to dictate how they sell their barley–and they have a valid point. But, I know that some farmers who want change to come to the Wheat Board often don’t want to vote on Wheat Board matters. However, we are giving barley growers a chance to make some real changes. Farmers need to get involved and let their voices be heard on this important issue.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament, and I welcome your feedback. Write or call my offices.