Communications

OTTAWA and GUELPH, Ont., Jan. 8, 2026 — Canada’s grain sector is strengthening its national advocacy voice as Grain Farmers of Ontario formally joins Grain Growers of Canada, with federal decisions on trade, transportation, research, and infrastructure taking centre stage.

Grain Growers of Canada represents grain farmers through its national, provincial, and regional member organizations, bringing a unified national voice to federal discussions on behalf of grain producers across the country. For nearly 25 years, the organization has advocated for the grain sector’s competitiveness and long-term viability, advancing policy grounded in on-farm realities for a sector generating $45 billion in annual exports.

“For decades, grain farmers have been dealing with the fallout of long-standing issues that have been left unresolved,” said Scott Hepworth, chair, Grain Growers of Canada. “Global market instability is exposing cracks across the system, and Grain Farmers of Ontario joining Grain Growers of Canada reflects just how broad these pressures are and why a unified national voice, representing every major grain-producing region, is critical now.”

Ontario is one of Canada’s largest grain-producing provinces and a critical contributor to the country’s export economy. Grain Farmers of Ontario joins Grain Growers of Canada alongside its 14 other grain grower groups from across the country, strengthening national representation to ensure the sector can continue to move grain efficiently, compete internationally, and respond to changing market conditions.

“Ontario’s grain farmers are strongest when we stand united with our peers across Canada,” said Jeff Harrison, chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Joining the Grain Growers of Canada is a strategic decision that reflects today’s political landscape and positions all grain farmers for long-term success. We bring deep expertise and a strong voice to national discussions, and we are committed to working collaboratively to advance policies that benefit farmers from coast to coast.”

Together, Grain Farmers of Ontario and Grain Growers of Canada will work to ensure federal policy frameworks governing a wide range of critical topics – such as trade, transportation, research, and infrastructure – reflect the operational realities of grain farming and the consequences those decisions carry for Canada’s export economy.

-30-

About Grain Growers of Canada (GGC):

As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 100,000 producers through our 15 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members steward 120 million acres of land to grow food for Canadians and for 160 countries around the world, creating $45 billion in export value annually. As the farmer-driven association for the grains sector, GGC champions federal policies that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada.

About Grain Farmers of Ontario:

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover more than six million acres of farmland, generate over $4.1 billion in production value, contribute over $27 billion in economic output, and support more than 90,000 jobs across the province.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Hana Sabah
Sr. Communications Manager
Grain Growers of Canada
hana@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841

Susan Blundell
Director, Communications
Grain Farmers of Ontario
226-820-6641 |  sblundell@gfo.ca   media@gfo.ca