Communications

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the Halifax Statement, calls for action in next agricultural policy framework

OTTAWA, July 21, 2026 —Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) welcomes the Halifax Statement issued by federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture, which establishes the direction for Canada’s next agricultural policy framework.

The statement reflects several priorities GGC has consistently advanced on behalf of grain farmers, including improving productivity, expanding market opportunities and strengthening the sector’s resilience. Delivering on these priorities will require governments to move beyond broad commitments and provide practical, measurable support at the farm level.
 
For grain farmers, remaining competitive means having access to new technologies, reliable infrastructure, strong domestic research capacity and the tools needed to respond to changing production and market conditions. It also means pursuing new export opportunities while protecting dependable access to the established markets on which Canadian grain relies.
 
The Halifax Statement’s emphasis on science, research and innovation is particularly important. Long-term investment in public agricultural research, regional research capacity and the transfer of new technologies to farmers will be essential to improving productivity and maintaining Canada’s competitiveness in global markets.
 
The next framework must also include a stronger and more responsive approach to Business Risk Management. GGC welcomes the commitment to advance changes to AgriStability, including consideration of non-arm’s-length labour and contract work as eligible expenses, and encourages governments to ensure programs reflect the realities of modern farm operations and provide meaningful support when producers face risks beyond their control.
 
As federal, provincial and territorial governments begin negotiating the details of the framework, GGC is calling for continued engagement with producers and clear commitments that translate the priorities outlined in Halifax into measurable results for Canadian farms.

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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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes Saskatchewan research farm MOU, calls for federal action on remaining sites

OTTAWA, July 17, 2026 —Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) welcomes today’s announcement that the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to maintain agricultural research activities at the Indian Head and Scott research farms.

GGC recognizes the leadership of the Government of Saskatchewan in working to preserve critical research capacity for farmers. However, uncertainty remains for other federal research sites across the country that are still slated for closure.

The Indian Head and Scott research farms are essential to delivering regionally relevant research that drives productivity, strengthens resilience to climate and market pressures, and supports Canada’s global competitiveness. That same capacity is at risk in other regions.

Canada’s grain farmers depend on consistent, well-funded public research to remain competitive and meet growing global demand. Incremental or temporary measures are not sufficient. Immediate federal action is required to ensure the long-term strength of Canada’s agricultural research system.

Earlier this year, GGC called on the federal government to halt planned closures of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities and provide clear, long-term commitments to maintain and invest in a strong, coordinated public research network across all regions of the country. That call remains, and timely federal action is needed to provide certainty for farmers.

GGC will continue to work with governments and industry partners to secure the research capacity farmers rely on and to ensure innovation remains a cornerstone of Canada’s agricultural success.

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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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Grain Growers of Canada Welcomes Gateway Strategy, Urges Action on Second Narrows Rail Crossing

OTTAWA, July 16, 2026 —The Government of Canada’s Port of Vancouver Gateway Strategy marks an important step toward strengthening Canada’s export infrastructure, but expanded port capacity must be matched by investments in rail, including the Second Narrows rail crossing, to deliver on Canada’s current trade commitments and future ambitions.

As Canada’s principal gateway for grain exports to international markets, the Port of Vancouver is critical to the competitiveness of Canadian agriculture and to the government’s goal of doubling exports to non-U.S. markets by 2035. More than half of the grain grown in Canada is exported through the port, representing approximately $35 million in grain and grain products every day.

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the advancement of Roberts Bank Terminal 2 and the government’s commitment to developing a rail infrastructure strategy focused on capacity, reliability and resilience.

However, the success of the Gateway Strategy will ultimately depend on addressing long-standing rail bottlenecks, beginning with the Second Narrows rail crossing. Prioritizing this critical project will ensure the movement of grain and other export commodities, reduce congestion, and strengthen Canada’s ability to compete in global markets.

Grain Growers of Canada looks forward to working with the federal government and industry partners to advance the transportation infrastructure needed to support trade diversification and the long-term competitiveness of Canadian grain farmers.

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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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Grain Growers of Canada Welcomes National Food Security Strategy, Calls for Concrete Action

OTTAWA, June 12, 2026 — Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s National Food Security Strategy and its recognition that keeping food affordable means supporting the farmers who grow it through modern regulations, reliable supply chains, domestic market opportunities, and successful farm succession.

Grain farmers are at the heart of our country’s food security, with up to 30 per cent of their annual crop production destined for Canadian markets.  Their ability to produce competitively depends on the broader cost environment around them, including access to inputs, efficient regulations, reliable transportation systems, and market opportunities at home.

Recent commitments to update the mandate of Health Canada’s Pesticides Regulatory Directorate, formerly the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, to account for food security and the cost of food are an important step.

The government’s move to improve access to crop protection tools, while maintaining Canada’s high safety standards, further reflects the need for a regulatory system that supports innovation, competitiveness, and food security.

With over 97 per cent of Canadian farms family owned and operated, GGC welcomes the government’s focus on succession planning, including measures to help young farmers enter the sector, access financing, and take over family operations. The next generation of farmers will be critical to the future of Canadian agriculture and the country’s long-term food security.

GGC will be looking to ensure these commitments translate into concrete action: faster approvals for key farm inputs, reliable supply chains that move Canadian grain to market, expanded domestic market opportunities, and increased federal investment in agricultural research.

Canada’s grain farmers are ready to do their part to support food affordability and food security for Canadians and customers around the world. The right policy environment will help them deliver.

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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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

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