Canada’s agriculture sector is uniquely positioned to bridge political divides and drive economic growth, says Erin Gowriluk, executive director of the Canada Grains Council. In a recent conversation with Shaun Haney on RealAg Radio, Gowriluk outlined how a unified approach to agriculture policy could help address national unity challenges while also strengthening Canada’s international trade position.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Carney, the Canada Grains Council is urging a reset on regulatory priorities. “We’re asking to hit the pause button on the transformation agenda at the Pest Management Regulatory Agency, which has cost us upwards of $80 million and achieved nothing for the sector,” Gowriluk says. Canadian ag requires a science-based regulatory framework to ensure predictability and bolster investor confidence, she says.
Looking beyond domestic policy, Gowriluk calls for pragmatic trade strategies that prioritize agriculture’s role in global markets. “We cannot be the sacrificial lamb,” she says. “We need the federal government to consider how trade decisions impact agriculture and work carefully to restore critical relationships, particularly with China.”
Gowriluk also underscores the importance of outcome-based collaboration with government, cautioning against more committees and roundtables. “We know what the sector needs. It’s time to move beyond process and start delivering outcomes,” she says.
