Frequently Asked Questions

Some answers to our most frequently asked questions.

• How do I update my contact information?
• How do I know if I’ve met my minimum shares?
• I have met my minimum shares, how do I go about stopping my milk cheque deduction?
• A member of my family has passed away, what are the options with their shares and/or debentures?
• I’ve misplaced my T slip, is it possible to get another one?
• I’m receiving debenture interest by cheque, how do I go about having it directly deposited into my bank account?
• How can I sell my shares?
• What do I do if I stop shipping milk?

How do I update my contact information?

You can now update your own website contact information through the Manage Profile page. To update your address in our database, please contact one of the MR staff listed in the Contact Us page.

How do I know if I’ve met my minimum shares?

Please contact your Member Services Representative. They will determine if you have met your minimum share requirement. If you are not yet at your minimum requirement, your Rep can also provide you with an estimated time frame for reaching your minimum.

I have met my minimum shares, how do I go about stopping my milk cheque deduction?

To stop your milk cheque deduction, contact your Member Services Representative. They will fill out the necessary paperwork, which will be then sent to the DFO.

A member of my family has passed away, what are the options with their shares and/or debentures?

In the case of an Estate, all classes of shares may be redeemed (Producer, Investor, Patronage) but are subject to the Board’s review and approval. If an Estate involves a Producer Member, it is recommended that you speak to a Member Services Rep to discuss the implications of any share redemptions to the overall family membership.

Producer and Investor Shares ($17 shares) can also be transferred to an existing or new member of Gay Lea Foods. Patronage shares cannot be transferred to any member at this point in time.

Debentures Class A – In the case of an Estate, Class A Debentures can either be cashed out or transferred to another name (not necessarily a member of Gay Lea Foods).

Debentures Class B – In the case of an Estate, Class B Debentures cannot be redeemed, as outlined in the requirements for this special class of Debentures, as they are maturing in August of 2010.

I’ve misplaced my T slip, is it possible to get another one?

If you have misplaced your T slip, please contact the Member Relations Guelph office at 519-822-5530 x 2267, or x 2268 OR a Member Relations Representative and we will reprint your slip.

I’m receiving debenture interest by cheque, how do I go about having it directly deposited into my bank account?

Please contact the Member Relations Guelph office at 519-822-5530 x 2267, or x 2268, or speak with your Member Services Rep.

How can I sell my shares?

If you wish to redeem your shares and you are an active Producer Member, redemption of shares follows a strict timeline. If you are a Producer Member and you received patronage in the current fiscal year, you must hold your producer shares (minimum requirement) until September 30th of the current fiscal year.

On October 1st of that same year, producer members may redeem their shares by the following options:

• Redeem shares through a minimum 3-year Debenture OR
• Sell shares to another existing member (producer or investor) OR
• Dire Need

If a member wishes to redeem their shares and there are other members linked to the membership, that license is required to hold the minimum required shares (3 shares/1000L of milk shipped) in order to receive patronage.

Investor Members who wish to redeem their shares have the same options as Producer Members above:

• Redeem shares through a minimum 3-year Debenture OR
• Sell their shares to another existing member (producer or investor) OR
• Dire Need

If an investor member wishes to cash out a portion of their shares, they must leave the minimum required 100 shares in order to remain a member of Gay Lea Foods, subject to Board approval.

What do I do if I stop shipping milk?

If a Gay Lea Foods member stops shipping milk during the fiscal year, it is their responsibility to notify Gay Lea Foods as the DFO does not provide that information due to confidentiality. Please contact your Member Services Representative as there are a number of options available.