Regulations & Governance

To read our regulations please click on the links below.

Alberta Barley Commission Authorization Regulation

Alberta Barley Commission Regulation

Alberta Barley Plan Regulation

Marketing of Agricultural Products Act

Marketing of Agricultural Products Amendment Act, 2009

The Province of Alberta formed the Alberta Barley Commission in 1991 under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act to represent the interests of Alberta’s barley producers and barley production.

The Commission is a non-profit, producer-funded organization, operates as a corporation, and is governed by a nine-person Board of Directors.

Six directors are elected by eligible barley producers; each represents one of the Commission’s six regions. All are elected for three-year terms and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms. After a one-year waiting period, they are eligible for re-election.

The remaining Board members are directors-at-large nominated by eligible barley producers from throughout the province; they are elected at annual general meetings.

The Commission’s chairman and vice-chairman are elected by the directors at the first Board meeting following director elections. The Commission also has no less than 32 delegates – with a minimum of three per region – who are elected for two-year terms at regional meetings.

To be eligible to vote in Commission elections, Alberta barley producers must remit check-off dollars to the Commission. The Board of Directors works with the Commission’s CEO to advise and consult on the organization’s policies, strategies and direction.

The CEO and the Commission’s staff are responsible for carrying out the Board’s directives and for day-to-day Commission operations. Plus they are responsible for preparing the annual business plan and strategy, and accompanying budget. Once approved by the Board, management then executes the plan.

Through various communication tools, the Commission regularly advises its members of its progress. For example, an annual report is produced and distributed each year, summarizing the Commission’s financial position and progress towards its operating plans and goals.

Eligible barley producers who have remitted their check-off dollars to the Commission are entitled to:

(a) Attend annual and regional meetings and any special meetings.
(b) Make presentations to the Board of Directors on matters related to barley 

      production, research, market development and policy.
(c) Vote at regional and special meetings or producer plebiscites.
(d) Become a Commission delegate, director or director-at-large.

Producers who choose not to support the Commission may request a refund of their check-off dollars. The refund request must be made within six months from the end of the month of the deduction, and the Commission must refund check-off dollars within 120 days of the request.
The Commission may from time to time change the service charge (currently at $0.50/tonne), but any change must be approved by a majority of the directors and delegates present at an annual general meeting or a special Commission meeting.

Director/delegate compensation

Directors and delegates are entitled to claim a per diem allowance for each day served at an authorized Commission event.

Chairman $200
Director    $150
Delegate   $150

For events of four hours or less, the allowance is one-half of the per diem. For conference call meetings, the allowance is one-quarter of the per diem. For Board Meeting preparations, the allowance is one full per diem.

Board members and delegates are also eligible for a travel per diem allowance and are reimbursed for travel expenses. 

For additional regulations, refer to the Queen’s Printer’s Marketing of Agricultural Products Act.