Board Composition:

1. The British Columbia Hog Marketing Commission (BCHMC) consists of:

◆ a chair appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council; and

◆ up to five members who are registered producers, elected by the registered producers.

 Until changed, the number of registered producers serving as members on the BCHMC will be three To change the number of registered producers serving as  members, the BCHMC may present a resolution at a General Meeting. If approved  by a majority of votes the change would take effect at the next election.

Term of Office:

2. The term of office of an elected member is two years and begins on December 1st following their election. Terms are staggered so that two registered producers are  elected in one year and one registered producer is elected in the following year. A member whose term is expiring is eligible for re-election.

3. A member ceases to hold office when:

◆ the member is convicted of any offense under the Natural Products Marketing (BC) Act or the British Columbia Hog Marketing Scheme;

◆ the member resigns in writing; or

◆ the member is absent from the province for three consecutive months or fails to attend to his or her duties for a like period, and the position is declared  vacant by the remaining members.

Vacancy:

4. If a vacancy occurs by reason of death or any of the circumstances in paragraph 3, the remaining members may choose to continue with a vacant position or appoint a registered producer to fill the vacancy until the term is completed. A quorum is required to make the appointment to fill the vacancy. The appointment is subject to approval by the BC Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB). In the event that there are insufficient members to constitute a quorum, BCFIRB may make appointments to fill vacancies in the membership.

Independent Election Officer:

5. The BCHMC will appoint a person or firm who is independent of the BCHMC and the hog industry as the Independent Election Officer (IEO) to oversee the election and certify the results. The IEO will receive and validate all nomination forms and ballots. The IEO will also open and count ballots in the presence of  scrutineers appointed by nominees.

Election Schedule:

6. The election process will be carried out during the months of September, October and November of each year. In respect to the election of members each year, the BCHMC shall, no later than:

◆ September, appoint the Independent Election Officer

◆ Second Monday in October, email and/or mail out an election package consisting of, but not limited to, notice of election, Election Schedule and nomination forms to all registered producers

◆ November 1, close nominations

◆ November 30, complete election.

7. The Election Schedule sent to registered producers will set out specific dates and any necessary times for election related events, including but not limited to: deadline for receipt of nomination documents and deadlines for receipt of paper ballots and online voting.

Nominations:

8. Only registered producers (as defined in the BC Hog Marketing Scheme – see Appendix A) are eligible to be nominated for election. For a registered producer to  be nominated, a nomination form must be completed, signed by two registered producers and by the nominee.

9. Where the nominee is a representative of a  registered producer that is a partnership or corporation, the corporation’s or partnership’s written designation of  the nominee as its representative must be filed with the nomination form.

10. Nominees may at the time their nomination is filed, also provide a short biography to be forwarded to registered producers.

11. All required nomination documents must be received by the IEO no later than the time and date specified in the Election Schedule for the close of nominations.

12. Documents may be sent by post, or electronically transmitted (fax or scanned attachment to an email).

13. The IEO will validate completed nomination forms by verifying with the BCHMC that the signatories are registered producers.

 Each valid nominee will be informed by the IEO prior to the election that upon election to the BCHMC, they must provide a signed declaration that identifies any offices and directorships currently held by them. If they hold an office or  directorship (i.e. producer association) that may result in a persistent conflict of interest that could substantially impair their ability to fulfill their obligations as an elected member of the BCHMC, the BCHMC may require them to resign from such office or directorship.

Voting:

14. Registered hog producers as of October 1 of each year, are eligible to vote in that year’s election. Every partnership or corporation qualified to vote shall in writing, appoint a person to vote on its behalf and shall file a copy of such appointment with the BCHMC.

15. A register of eligible voters (Election Register) will be prepared by the BCHMC and can be viewed, upon request, at the BCHMC office during regular business hours.

16. If the number of valid nominations do not exceed the number of positions to be filled, the nominee(s) will be elected by acclamation.

17. If the number of valid nominations exceeds the number of positions to be filled, the  IEO will proceed with voting.

18. Only one vote may be cast per registered producer.  If more than one vote is cast by a registered producer, none of that producer’s votes will be counted.  Votes received after the applicable deadline in the Election Schedule will not be counted.

19. If the BCHMC has approved an on-line voting system that meets appropriate security, safety and ease of use requirements, the IEO will advise all registered producers of the option of voting on-line. Registered producers must advise the  IEO in accordance with the instructions provided by the IEO of their choice to vote either on-line or by mail-in paper ballot.

20. The IEO will provide all registered producers with the list of nominees, and, if submitted, their biographies by the deadline in the Election Schedule.

21. Voting by Paper Ballot

     Each registered producer voting by paper ballot will also receive:

◆ a paper election ballot;

◆ one small blank envelope; and,

◆ one pre-printed envelope addressed to the IEO

and to vote must:

◆ mark clearly on the ballot his or her choice of candidate;

◆ place the ballot into the small blank envelope and seal the envelope;

◆ insert the small envelope (containing the marked ballot) into the larger, pre- printed envelope and seal the envelope. This envelope is to be  marked with the name and address of the voter which will provide the  verification to the IEO of the validity of the enclosed ballot.

◆ Return the ballot to the IEO by mail. Mail-in ballots must be received no later than the date specified in the Election Schedule.

22. Voting Online

Each registered producer voting online will also receive an individual email from the IEO that includes:

◆ Instructions;

◆ necessary web link; and,

◆ a one-time use individual access code;

and to vote must:

◆ complete and submit the online ballot in accordance with the instructions  provided no later than the time and date specified in the Election  Schedule.

Ballot Count:

23. The IEO will open the online results voting page and will also receive, validate and count all mail-in ballots. The total validated votes from the online results and mail-in ballots constitute the election results. One scrutineer may be appointed by each nominee.

Election Outcomes:

24. The candidate(s) receiving the highest number of votes will be elected to the BCHMC. In the event of a tie all ballots will be recounted. If a recount confirms the   tie result, the BCHMC chair will cast the deciding vote.

25. The IEO will contact all nominees and notify them of the election outcome. A written report prepared by the IEO will be submitted to the BCHMC and BCFIRB upon completion of the election. The first BCHMC Newsletter mailed to registered    producers after the election will announce the outcome.

Review Process:

The Election Rules and Procedures shall be reviewed every five years in consultation with registered producers, with the next review to occur in 2022. The BCHMC will also review the Election Rules and Procedures upon receipt of a written request from a producer organization or any 3 registered producers.  Any changes must be approved by BCFIRB prior to implementation.

Effective Date:

Approved by the BC Hog Marketing Commission on: November 30, 2017

Approved by BCFIRB on: November 30, 2017