West Can Agra - now in receivership

Posted By Greg Vandermeulen

Posted 17 days ago

Plum Coulee area grain processor, West-Can Agra has been placed in receivership last week.

The company had its licence cancelled by the Canadian Grain Commission back on Feb. 11. Farmers that were owed money put their claims forward but not all have been paid. Because only those who processed a claim within 30 days, were eligible, six of 23 claims were denied.

The other 17 producers collected 66.1 per cent of their outstanding debts from the $300,000 in security, West Can Agra had supplied as a condition of licensing.

But it wasn't just producers that were left on the hook for money.

Taxpayers in Plum Coulee, Altona, Gretna and the R.M. of Rhineland helped finance West-Can Agra through Sunbelt Development Group.

General manager Jim Spencer confirmed that Sunbelt invested $300,000, although he isn't counting that money as gone just yet.

He said the receiver has been in contact with Sunbelt. "They have made a commitment that they will keep us informed," he said.

How much Sunbelt could recoup all depends on how much the facility can be sold for. Spencer said they are hoping to get value for the business, so that creditors can be satisfied. "This will not be a fire sale," he said. "They will shop this facility and get the best possible price."

Spencer said it's in everybody's best interest to have this sale go successfully.

"We want a company that will take it over, make it a successful company, provide employment and be a good corporate citizen," he said. Spencer said they are disappointed that their original goal of establishing a reliable employer in the Plum Coulee area hasn't worked out.

"It's unfortunate that it has come to this," he said.

And although Sunbelt no longer has any involvement with the facility, Spencer said it may yet realize their original goal. "There is interest in the facility," he said. "I'm optimistic the next owner will be able to develop the facility the way we intended."