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Class action lawsuit against Wheat Board

Jan. 9, 2012, Regina, SK - A class-action lawsuit has been filed that claims Canadian farmers should be repaid $15.4 billion when the Canadian Wheat Board is dismantled.

The suit says the wheat board's assets include $100 million in cash, more than 3,400 hopper cars, lake freighters and an office building.

Ottawa has passed legislation to end the board's monopoly on western wheat and barley sales and has removed farmer-elected directors from the organization.

The board will still operate with government support for five years.

Regina-based lawyer Tony Merchant says the act makes clear the federal government has no intention of compensating farmers when the board winds up.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

January 23, 2012  By The Canadian Press