national farmers union

SASKATOON, Sask.-"The NFU has requested that Elections Canada take immediate possession and control of ballots from the recent CWB board of directors elections. They must then conduct a recount in the presence of scrutineers. The recount cannot be left to KPMG which has demonstrated a striking lack of competence and care and has completely lost the confidence of prairie farmers," said newly-elected NFU President Cory Ollikka.

KPMG has announced that it has detected a computer error which calls into question the results in at least 3 of the 10 electoral districts-specifically districts three, seven, and eight. In a letter sent today to Ralph Goodale, Minister in charge of the CWB, the NFU requested that in light of this serious failure, KPMG should have no further involvement in CWB elections.

Ollikka stated: "In a letter to Minister Ralph Goodale, this past August-before KPMG was appointed to conduct the CWB elections-the NFU raised serious concerns about KPMG. The NFU's concerns were based on KPMG's handling of the Western Grain Marketing Panel town hall meetings and the 1997 Barley Vote. It seems that those concerns were well warranted."

For More Information:

• Cory Ollikka, President: (403) 383-2148
  
• Darrin Qualman, Exec. Sec.: (306) 652-9465