Court Hears How Canadian Wheat Board Official Lived a Life on the High
Road
(March 8, 2004 - Airdrie) "It is
clear that a former Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) Commissioner lived a life
on the high road at the expense of farmers" said Douglas McBain,
President, Western Barley Growers Association (WBGA), when commenting on
former CWB Commissioner Richard Klassen's suit against the crown for
almost $2 million for lost wages and benefits.
Mr. Klassen was 57 years of age when he received a retirement package
of $352,079.36 in December 1998 to make way for the new appointed and
elected CWB Board of Directors. Court documents dated February 6, 2004
revealed that Mr Klassen attempted to sue the Crown for lost wages and
fringe benefits he considered due until age 70. Included in the lost
fringe benefits he claimed were airport lounge privileges and memberships
in country clubs.
"Although there is a new governance structure in place at the CWB,
administration costs have continued to rise. Does the increase in cost
indicate that the practice of providing country club memberships to senior
staff at farmers' expense continues?" questioned McBain.
The 2002 - 03 annual report shows that farmers paid $1,256,934 in
benefits to CWB senior management in addition to $2,372,811 in salaries.
"Does the $1,256,934 paid for benefits shown in the annual report
include fringe benefits such as cars, country club memberships and airport
lounge privileges or are those items hidden in operating costs?" asks
McBain. |
