Communications

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

Hana Sabah on July 21, 2026

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.

-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.

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

Hana Sabah on July 17, 2026

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.

-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.

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

Hana Sabah on July 16, 2026

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.

-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.

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

Hana Sabah on June 12, 2026

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.

-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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Grain Growers of Canada signs trilateral industry letter calling for CUSMA renewal and strengthening

Hana Sabah on June 2, 2026

OTTAWA, June 2, 2026 — Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has joined more than 160 agricultural organizations from Canada, the United States and Mexico in signing a trilateral industry letter calling for the renewal and strengthening of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC).

The letter, addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Canadian Minister Responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade Dominic LeBlanc, and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard, calls on all three governments to protect the integrated North American agricultural trading framework ahead of the July 1, 2026, joint review.

Canadian grain farmers have a direct stake in the outcome.

Canada exports over 70 per cent of the grain it grows, generating $45 billion in annual export value. The United States is the sector’s largest trading partner, with over $17 billion in grain and grain products flowing there annually, a highly integrated market that cannot be replaced at scale. From 2024 to 2025, the export value of Canadian grain and grain products decreased by over $2.3 billion, a reflection of how quickly market access disruptions translate into farm-level losses.

Reliable, rules-based market access is a core requirement for farm viability, and CUSMA has been central to that. The agreement has supported export growth for grain, oilseed and pulse producers since its entry into force, with Canadian grain flowing through North American supply chains and onward to global markets.

The July 1 joint review is an opportunity to reinforce an agreement that creates stability and predictability: conditions producers need to make long-term investments, sign forward contracts, and keep grain moving to global customers. As negotiations get underway, Canada’s grain sector must be front of mind. Anything less puts export value, farm livelihoods, and billions in annual economic activity at risk.

-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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Grain Farmers Call for Federal Action on Agricultural Research Closures Following Committee Report

Hana Sabah on May 28, 2026

The report, which received unanimous support from committee members, calls for the pause and reversal of federal agricultural research centre closures.

OTTAWA, May 28, 2026 — Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the report tabled by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food on federal agricultural research capacity and calls on the Government of Canada to act on its recommendations without delay. 

Canada’s grain producers depend on innovation to stay competitive, viable and resilient. Decisions in Ottawa are having immediate impacts on farm operations.

At a time of economic uncertainty and the need to address our global competitors who are investing to increase their production, improve efficiency, and capture market share, our own domestic production and supply chains must improve.

GGC has consistently called for transparency on the impacts of reductions to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s research staff and infrastructure, and for increased public investment in agricultural research, not less.

The committee’s recommendations reflect what grain producers have been saying directly to parliamentarians: that Canada is cutting research capacity at exactly the wrong time, and that the consequences for crop development, regional expertise and long-term productivity are serious and irreversible if not addressed.

The report calls for the pause and reversal of research centre closures and immediate consultations with affected stakeholders. The closure of research centres and reduction of scientific staff risks the permanent loss of decades of institutional knowledge and regional expertise that has taken generations to build and cannot be readily reconstituted. The window to act is narrowing.

The report also calls on the government to recognize agriculture and the agri-food sector as a uniquely strategic sector on par with energy, and food security as a national security issue, recognition that the grain sector has long advocated. It also calls for meaningful engagement with provincial governments, local communities and affected stakeholders, such as grain farmers, on any proposed changes to federal research infrastructure.

Together, these reflect a clear commitment: that decisions affecting Canada’s agricultural research system must be made directly with the sector, not around it.

GGC stands ready to be part of that process and urges the government to respond in a way that matches the urgency of what is at stake for Canada’s agricultural research system and the producers who depend on it.

-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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Grain Growers Welcomes Commitments on Regulatory Reform, Supply Chain Reliability

Hana Sabah on April 29, 2026

OTTAWA, April 29, 2026 – Grain Growers of Canada welcomes commitments made in the Spring Economic Update to amend the mandate of the Pesticide Regulatory Directorate (PRD), formerly the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), to account for food security and the cost of food, and to move quickly on building more efficient and reliable supply chains.

These commitments reflect long-standing priorities for Canada’s grain sector. Food security and affordability must be central considerations in regulatory decision-making, particularly given the role farmers play in producing food and ensuring a stable supply for Canadians and customers around the world.

We also acknowledge the government’s recognition of longstanding supply chain challenges and the need to strengthen trade-enabling infrastructure. However, the sector is beyond signalling and examining options. Concrete, timely implementation is now required to address inefficiencies at key gateways and ensure Canada’s transportation system can reliably move grain to global markets.

As an export-dependent sector, these commitments are essential and come at a critical juncture for Canada’s economy and its ability to compete in global markets. Grain Growers of Canada looks forward to working with the federal government to ensure these commitments are translated into practical, timely actions that support farmers and strengthen the sector’s ability to deliver at home and in global markets.

-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.

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 Bill C-273 to support innovation and competitiveness in agriculture

Hana Sabah on April 16, 2026

OTTAWA, April 16, 2026 — Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the introduction of Bill C-273, the FARM Act, which would help drive innovation and competitiveness in Canadian agriculture through faster access to crop protection tools.

Bill C-273 would require provisional approval within 90 days for products already approved in two trusted international jurisdictions, while maintaining Canada’s rigorous safety standards through a subsequent full review process.

Improving the pace at which new products reach the market has long been a priority for the agriculture sector, which has consistently called for regulatory modernization to improve the timeliness, transparency and predictability of the agricultural innovation system.

Bill C-273 would help advance that objective by enabling faster adoption of innovation and supporting competitiveness across the sector.

Introduced by Conservative MP David Bexte, the bill builds on similar legislation previously brought forward by Liberal MP Kody Blois, reflecting support for agriculture across party lines and a shared recognition that Canada’s regulatory timelines need to improve. This alignment in Parliament presents a clear opportunity to move forward in a practical way that helps farmers in a rapidly changing environment.

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes this consensus and emphasizes the opportunity to advance Bill C-273 without delay, in line with commitments to reduce regulatory burden in agriculture and support important innovation and producer competitiveness.

-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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes federal emergency authorization of strychnine in Alberta and Saskatchewan

Hana Sabah on March 31, 2026

OTTAWA, March 31, 2026 — Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the Government of Canada’s decision to authorize a time-limited emergency registration of strychnine for use in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

This decision reflects the severe damage Richardson’s Ground Squirrel infestations have inflicted on prairie farm operations and is a practical response to a real and urgent threat to Canadian agriculture.

GGC also acknowledges and commends the leadership of the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan, whose revised, joint emergency-use application and sustained effort in Ottawa made this outcome possible.

For years, producers across the prairies have been dealing with growing pest pressures and a severely limited set of tools to respond. Today’s authorization restores what remains the most effective option available to producers heading into the upcoming growing season.

While this emergency authorization is a meaningful step forward, it is a temporary measure. A November 2027 end date does not provide the long-term certainty that producers need to plan and invest in their operations. Canadian grain farmers require consistent, reliable access to effective pest management tools, not crisis-by-crisis emergency approvals.

Grain Growers of Canada will continue to work with governments to advance a path toward permanent access to strychnine, and to ensure Canada’s regulatory framework supports the farmers who underpin this country’s food security.

-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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Grain Growers of Canada appoints Bruce Burrows as Executive Director

Hana Sabah on March 18, 2026

OTTAWA, March 19, 2026 – Grain Growers of Canada today announced Bruce Burrows as Executive Director, effective April 1, 2026.

Burrows brings more than four decades of experience across transportation, infrastructure, labour policy, and association leadership. Based in Ottawa, he has built a career developing and implementing effective government relations strategies, including policy development, political advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building across national industry organizations.

He has held senior leadership roles with the Chamber of Marine Commerce and the Railway Association of Canada, as well as strategic advisory roles with Tactix. Earlier in his career, he held management positions with Canadian Pacific Railway in Canada and internationally.

Working at the intersection of industry, government, and supply chains, his experience spans transportation, energy, infrastructure, and resource sectors. Burrows is recognized for his ability to navigate complex policy environments, align stakeholders across national organizations, and execute advocacy strategies that deliver results at the federal level.

“It is a real honour to join Grain Growers of Canada and represent the interests of grain farmers across the country,” said Burrows.

“As essential drivers of our economy and suppliers of the food Canadians and customers around the world rely on, it is critical that producers’ priorities remain front and centre in federal decision-making,” he added. “Strong advocacy starts with strong connections, and I look forward to strengthening those relationships by working with producers and members across Canada to ensure their priorities continue to be clearly heard in Ottawa.”

As Canada’s grain sector navigates ongoing domestic and global economic uncertainty, Grain Growers of Canada is confident Bruce Burrows brings the leadership and strategic perspective needed to advance and protect grain producers’ interests.

“Bruce brings a proven ability to drive sector priorities and build strong industry coalitions that effectively engage government,” said Grain Growers of Canada Chair Scott Hepworth. “The Board is confident he will strengthen our advocacy and help move those priorities forward for grain producers across Canada.”

-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.

For media inquiries, please contact:

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

 

Top