In Alberta the system of check-offs is what we call “mandatory refundable”. This means that people pay when they sell their grain. The money comes in. If they want it back they fill out a simple form and we send the money back. That's under legislation in Alberta because the Alberta government believes that it's the farmers' money and they have the right to ask for it back. We would have greater struggles collecting the money for purposes that farmers have asked for and approve of. I work for farmers; they determine how the money is spent. But it would be much harder to collect if it wasn't mandatory first, and then refundable.
On November 21st, 2013. See this statement in context.