Ottawa, Ontario, October 10, 2012 - Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced today the re-appointments of Bruce Johnson, Ken Motiuk and Glen Findlay as directors of the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB).
"I am very pleased to announce the re-appointments of Mr. Johnson, Mr. Motiuk and Mr. Findlay to the CWB's Board of Directors," said Minister Ritz. "In this new era of marketing freedom, farmers will continue to count on these individuals for their forward-looking leadership and commitment to growing a prosperous future for western Canadian farmers."
As of August 1, 2012, western Canadian grain farmers have had the freedom to market their grain to a buyer of their choosing. This transition to an open market allows for a voluntary CWB and brings new opportunities for producers, and innovation and value-added jobs to the Canadian economy.
With the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act now in place, the Government is working with the CWB, farmers, provincial partners and the entire supply chain to provide information and support for the transition to an open and competitive wheat, durum and barley market in Western Canada.
Headquartered in Winnipeg, the CWB is a corporation that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Mr. Motiuk's re-appointment is effective immediately. Mr. Johnson's re-appointment is effective October 30, 2012, and Mr. Findlay's re-appointment is effective November 27, 2012. Biographical notes for the re-appointees are attached.
To learn more about the CWB, please visit: www.cwb.ca
Bruce Johnson (current chair) - Mr. Johnson has worked in the grain industry for more than 25 years. He has held senior positions in both privately-held and cooperative grain companies and has served on several boards. Mr. Johnson has provided consulting services to a broad range of clients in transportation, food and agriculture, and government. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba and currently resides in Regina.
Ken Motiuk - Mr. Motiuk has extensive experience in agri-business. Along with his family, he owns and operates an 8,000-acre grain farm near Mundare, Alberta. At the same time, he is currently a partner in Sunhaven Farms, a pork operation that includes farms and feedmills, and Highland Renewables, an ethanol and biogas facility. Beyond his current responsibility on the CWB's Board of Directors, Mr. Motiuk is the Chairman of the Alberta Credit Union Deposit Guarantee Corporation. He is also a member of both the Fiscal and Regulatory Committee of the Alberta Economic Development Authority and the Institute of Corporate Directors. Mr. Motiuk holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Alberta.
Glen Findlay - Mr. Findlay and his wife, along with their family, operate a 5,000-acre, 300-head beef farm at Shoal Lake, MB. Mr. Findlay holds a Bachelor and Master's degree in Animal Nutrition from the University of Manitoba and a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of Illinois. He has served as a post-doctoral fellow at the National Research Council in Ottawa and as a professor in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba. He was a member of the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for 13 years, where he served as Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Highways and Transportation and Minister responsible for Telecommunications. During his career, he has also served as a member of the Canadian Transportation Act Review Panel and has been an Agricore United delegate. Over the years, Mr. Findlay has been active in several farm organizations and community sports, and currently serves on the Barley Advisory Committee of the Western Grains Research Foundation.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
