In a move designed to “streamline decision making and empower the advocacy committees to build consensus and develop policy positions,” the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) has revamped its structure from a president, vice-president, and executive committee to a chair, vice-chair, and board member organization. Jeff Nielsen, of the Alberta Barley Commission, was elected chair,… Read More
From the emails sent to RealAgriculture, so far farm groups have not been very supportive of the new federal carbon tax policy. The plan, released on Tuesday, indicates farmers will be exempt from the fuel tax which goes into effect April of next year. It calculates to about four cents more at the pump, and… Read More
Several provincial and national farm groups say they are disappointed with the Canadian Grain Commission’s plan for dealing with its $130 million surplus, and that it underscores the need to update the federal agency’s mandate. The surplus has accumulated through user fees charged for grain inspection and other services — costs that were ultimately passed… Read More
Farm and grain industry groups are giving a big thumbs-up to the federal government for finally passing Bill C-49. The Transportation Modernization Act received royal assent on Wednesday, after gaining final approval from the Senate late Tuesday. Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay will be joined by grain industry stakeholders at a Richardson elevator just north of Winnipeg… Read More
The scoop: Transport Minister Marc Garneau has decided to accept the Senate’s main grain-related amendments to Bill C-49 — the government’s long-awaited transportation legislation. Farm groups are applauding the minister’s decision, while urging MPs and Senators to agree on the amendments and to pass the bill before the summer break. The story: Farm groups are… Read More
Whether the government brings forward small business tax change legislation, the U.S. closes the border to Canadian cattle, or a bill (i.e. C-49) ends up locked in the Senate and going nowhere fast, our industry associations and member-based organizations lobby for change on behalf of farmers. According to Wikipedia, lobbying is defined as: the act of attempting… Read More
As the volume of grain backed up on farms in Western Canada grows, proposed transportation legislation that could help grain shippers address poor rail service remains stalled in the Senate. As it’s written right now, Bill C-49 — originally introduced in the House of Commons last spring — would give grain shippers the right to… Read More
The Canadian Grain Commission has come out with a plan to cut its user fees by 24 percent as of August 1, 2017. In the April 22nd edition of Canada Gazette, the CGC proposed reducing the amount charged for its official inspection and weighing services by $0.44 per tonne or just under $10 million (from August 1, 2017… Read More
The Grain Growers of Canada chose today, the inaugural Canada’s Agriculture Day, to launch its new logo and to unveil a completely re-designed website. The Grain Growers of Canada represents 50,000 active grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 12 provincial and regional grower groups. Its mission and mandate are to pursue a policy environment that… Read More
Grain Growers of Canada has announced its executive for 2016/17, led by new president Jeff Nielsen. Nielsen, who served as vice president in 2015, represents the Western Barley Growers Association, and replaces Gary Stanford, who held the position for the three years and remains on the board representing the Alberta Wheat Commission. “It is an… Read More
Panel thus morning about Grain Strategies exchange rates, freights, GMO’s, all in buying decisions #GaryinGeneva pic.twitter.com/UItItUj3Hb — Gary Stanford (@senatrstanford) November 13, 2014 Many in Western Canada may be surprised to learn that the Triffid flax fiasco of 2009 is still weighing heavily on the minds of some European customers. That’s according to Gary Stanford,… Read More
Editor’s note: Gary Stanford is currently in Geneva, representing Canadian farmers at the Global Grains conference. Follow along by searching the #GaryInGeneva hashtag on Twitter. Gary Stanford, farmer and president of the Grain Growers of Canada wants farmers to know that Bill C-18, the Agricultural Growth Act, contains important and positive changes to several pieces… Read More
If you’ve been on Twitter this week and happen to follow Gary Stanford (@senatrstanford), you’ll note that this newly minted president of the Grain Growers of Canada was in our nation’s capital meeting with the ag minister et al. to tackle a number of subjects that matter to Canadian farmers. Click here for all RealAgriculture’s… Read More
There are many farmers and many Canadians, that if you asked “Do you feel that government hears your voice as a farmer?”, would launch into a frustrated and angry tirade about any number of issues under their skin. In some cases that’s a legitimate expression of a system that failed them, but in a greater… Read More