Grain Growers of Canada call for rapid ratification of CUSMA
Agreement is key to establishing certainty and growth in North American market for Canada’s grain farmers
OTTAWA (June 19, 2019) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is urging both Houses of Parliament to pass legislation and quickly ratify the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) to begin realizing the benefits of this historic agreement.
“Our farmer members across Canada need certainty to invest and grow,” said GGC Chair Jeff Nielsen from his farm near Olds, AB. “This is why Government must pass this legislation before summer break to ensure our North American market access is preserved. The success of Canadian agriculture is not a partisan issue and we urge all parties to work together to see the legislation through”
If the bill to ratify CUSMA, called Bill C-100, is passed this week, it will represent a meaningful upgrade to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for Canadian agriculture by keeping our trade with the United States and Mexico tariff free. The CUSMA will also remove legal barriers that prevent grain grown in the US from being treated equally here – a longstanding request from grain farmers on both sides of the border.
“We need tariff-free access for our export commodities as soon as possible,” continued Mr. Nielsen. “Canadian farmers rely on stable markets to succeed and ratifying the CUSMA will allow us to capitalize on further opportunities for growth with our closest trading partners.”
GGC will continue, in conjunction with our partners within the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), to advocate for the timely passage of Bill C-100.
About Grain Growers of Canada
GGC provides a strong national voice for over 65,000 active and successful grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 16 provincial, regional and national grower groups. As a farmer-driven association, GGC advocates for the federal government to take decisions that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada.
Media Contact:
Lindsey Ehman
Manager, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
(o): 613-233-9954 ext. 202
(c): 613-222-2726
(e): lehman@ggc-pgc.ca