Pundits deplored the lacklustre 61 per cent voter turnout in the last federal election, but it’s a level of participation in the democratic process the Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) can only dream about.
During its 2011 election for directors 16 per cent of the MCGA’s almost 9,000 members voted. Participation fell to just 11 per cent during the MCGA’s last election in 2013. Of the 8,912 ballots mailed to eligible voters, 998 valid ballots were returned.
That’s why the MCGA is investigating online voting.
“What we’re trying to do is get more modern and attract a larger percentage of ballot returns,” president Ed Rempel who farms at Starbuck said in an interview Sept. 30. “We want people to vote. It’s no secret everyone is concerned when the ballot returns are too low.
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“The more votes returned, the better the results.”
The MCGA’s lawyer has been instructed to investigate the necessary bylaw change and the eight-member board of directors will discuss the idea at its November meeting, Rempel said.
“My sense is it will happen and we will be very careful instituting it so we respect everybody’s democratic rights,” he added.
The MCGA recognizes not all members have easy Internet access or would be comfortable voting online, Rempel said. Some sort of paper ballot will remain an option.
If most members opted to vote online it would save the MCGA association a lot of money in postage and paper, Rempel said.
“Democracy costs money,” he added. “Voting is the cost of doing business and it’s how we derive our legitimacy.”
Even if the MCGA’s board approves online voting, members must approve a bylaw change to make it happen. A vote on that can be held during a special members’ meeting or at an annual meeting. Either way online voting won’t be in place for a possible directors’ election this fall.
Half (four) of MCGA’s directors are up for election every two years. If only four candidates run they will be elected by acclamation. But if five or more run there will be an election employing mail-in preferential ballots next month.
At the very least there will be one new director. Dale Gryba, who farms at Gilbert Plains, has served the maximum three, four-year terms.
The other incumbents whose positions are up for election are Jack Froese of Winkler, Clayton Harder of Winnipeg and Hugh Drake of Elkhorn.
Froese plans to run again, Harder is undecided and Drake is still considering whether to run again.
Prospective MCGA directors must be a Manitoba resident, at least 18 years old, grow and market canola in Manitoba and have paid a checkoff on canola to the MCGA without seeking a refund during the last two fiscal years, the MCGA’s website says.
Nomination forms must be signed by at least six MCGA members and the nominee.
Contact the MCGA for nomination forms or download them from the MCGA’s website.
Nominations must be submitted to the MCGA’s office at 400-167 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, Man., R3B 0T6 between Oct. 15, 2015 and 4:30 p.m. CST Nov. 2, 2015.
Candidates must also submit picture of themselves and a biography of no more than 150 words, which will be posted online and featured on the ballot if there’s an election.
The organization’s website says directors are expected to get to know other MCGA directors “and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus.”
Directors meet three to five times a year and also attend the MCGA’s annual meeting. The 2016 annual meeting will be held during CropConnect in February.
Directors receive a per diem, mileage and eligible association expenses are reimbursed.
If there is an election, ballots will be mailed to eligible MCGA members by Nov. 22, 2015. They have to be returned to the MCGA by Dec. 10, 2015. Ballots will be counted Dec. 15.
