The LineUp
The LineUp content hub features the latest releases and articles as they are distributed by Newsline, and it serves as a central location for the agriculture sector and media professionals to stay informed and up to date.
Parliament Leaves Grain Farmers Behind by Passing Bill C-202
June 18, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is disappointed in Parliament’s decision to pass Bill C-202 without the thorough review and scrutiny required by parliamentarians, without consideration of its impact on international trade, and without regard for Canada’s export-oriented grain sector. The legislation, which amends the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act to prohibit the inclusion of supply-managed goods in future trade negotiations, poses serious risks to the livelihoods of Canada’s 70,000 grain farmers, who export more than 70% of what they grow. “Despite the government’s stated commitment to growing Canada’s economy and expanding international trade, the first bill passed by the 45th Parliament restricts our trade negotiators’ ability to secure the best possible deals for Canadians,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “This legislation received unanimous consent from Members of Parliament without consulting with the Canadians it impacts the most, forcing the Senate to fast-track a flawed bill.” Grain farmers, who rely on predictable, rules-based trade, export wheat, barley, canola, pulses, and other commodities to more than 160 countries, generating over $45 billion in export value each year. Bill C-202 now stands to undermine Canada’s ability to pursue and safeguard new and …
SIP Welcomes Alison Lee as Manager of Research Development
June 17, 2025 (Ottawa, Ontario) – Swine Innovation Porc (SIP) is pleased to announce the appointment of Alison Lee as Manager of Research Development, effective June 12, 2025. “I am excited to join SIP and look forward to working collaboratively with all our partners to build on the Canadian pork sector’s strengths through research,” said Lee. “One of the main attractions of this role is the ability to work with SIP’s amazing partners in the industry, academia and government, including through Swine Cluster 4.” In her role, Lee will serve as a key liaison between SIP and the Canadian pork research community. Prior to joining SIP, she worked as the Researcher and Livestock Program Developer for Conestoga Meats, where she co-ordinated and managed research projects relating to meat quality, new technology development and animal welfare. Lee comes to SIP with a long history of collaboration in the pork industry. Her career has spanned the globe including experience in Hanau, Germany, as Research Manager in Swine Nutrition and Health for Evonik Operations GmbH. She also holds a PhD and B.Sc. from the University of Guelph, where her thesis investigated supplementation in sow diets and its effects on piglet health. “I am …
CWRC commits nearly $20 million to AAFC wheat breeding activities
June 10, 2025 (Carman, MB; Saskatoon, SK; Calgary, AB) – The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has committed $19.9 million over the next three years to a core breeding agreement (CBA) with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) for the development of field-ready wheat varieties. The new agreement will ensure Prairie farmers can continue to access high-quality wheat varieties and associated genetics from AAFC’s breeding programs for years to come. “This agreement is about making sure Canadian wheat farmers continue to have access to top-quality varieties that perform in the real world,” said Dean Hubbard, CWRC chair and a farmer near Claresholm, AB. “By supporting AAFC’s breeding work, we are helping tackle some of the biggest challenges on the farm, like disease, pests and tough weather, while keeping our focus on the quality standards our customers count on.” CWRC funding via the 2025-28 CBA will support the development of field-ready Canada Western Red Spring, Canada Western Amber Durum, Canada Prairie Spring Red, Canada Western Soft White Spring and Canada Western Red Winter wheat varieties that reduce business risk and enhance competitiveness for western Canadian farmers. AAFC will aim to develop wheat varieties with strong resistance to diseases such as Fusarium head …
Grain Growers of Canada Welcomes New Cabinet, Urges Immediate Action on Trade and Tax Relief
May 13, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) welcomes the appointment of Canada’s new federal Cabinet and urges immediate action to support grain farmers and protect the viability of the sector. As Parliament prepares to return, swift action is needed to safeguard farmers’ bottom line, sustain Canada’s role as a reliable supplier of grain and grain products, and prevent further strain on the economy. To grow Canada’s $45-billion grain export sector and secure the future of family-run grain farms, GGC is calling for urgent progress on three fronts: resetting trade relationships with Canada’s two largest trading partners for grain and grain products, the United States and China; passing legislation to permanently remove the carbon tax from on-farm activities; and issuing a formal reversal of the capital gains tax increase. Canadian grain producers are looking for these measures to be addressed before the summer recess to prevent further strain on family farm operations, export competitiveness, and the broader economy. GGC looks forward to working with Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald, Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne, Minister responsible for Canada–U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of International Trade Maninder …
Grain Growers of Canada Welcomes New Federal Government, Urges Immediate Action on Key Farm Priorities
April 29, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) welcomes Prime Minister Mark Carney and all Members of Parliament elected to Canada’s 45 th Parliament and is urging the new government to act swiftly to address the pressing challenges facing Canadian grain farmers. “The stakes of this election could not have been higher for grain farmers,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “From rising input costs and global market uncertainty to transportation bottlenecks and regulatory pressures, producers are facing a growing list of challenges that require immediate federal attention.” To deliver meaningful relief, GGC is urging the government to reverse the capital gains tax increase, permanently eliminate the carbon tax for on-farm activities, and resolve ongoing trade uncertainty with the United States and China. “The capital gains tax increase and the carbon tax are not abstract issues for farmers,” said Tara Sawyer, Chair of GGC and a grain farmer from Acme, Alberta. “They directly impact whether we can invest in new equipment, transfer the farm on to the next generation, and continue contributing to the economy. We need immediate action to support the continued viability of family-run grain farms.” During the election, GGC helped raise awareness of these challenges …
GGC launches Vote for Grain campaign to give farmers a voice this election
March 24, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – As Canadians head to the polls, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is launching Vote for Grain, a national campaign to engage grain farmers in the federal election and ensure their voices are heard. “This election comes at a pivotal moment for grain farmers,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “Farmers are facing mounting challenges, and this campaign gives them a direct way to engage with their local candidates and understand where political parties stand on key issues affecting their operations. Political parties need to hear directly from farmers about the policies that will shape their livelihoods.” The campaign is available at www.VoteforGrain.ca and features a click-and-send tool that allows farmers to easily contact their local candidates. It also includes a key issues guide that outlines challenges facing producers such as trade uncertainty with the U.S. and China, the carbon tax, and the capital gains tax increase. It also highlights the need for plant breeding investments, extended interswitching, and the right to repair—issues that directly impact farmers’ competitiveness and profitability. “This is a critical time for grain farmers as we are being hit from all sides,” said Tara Sawyer, Chair of GGC. “Trade uncertainty …
ACA Welcomes First Step Towards Removing Carbon Price from farmers, Urges Legislative Action to Provide Certainty for Farmers
March 17, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – The Agriculture Carbon Alliance (ACA) welcomes the Prime Minister’s announced elimination of the consumer carbon price via Order-in-Council (OIC) until further legislative action provides increased certainty for farmers. “The reduction of the consumer carbon price to $0 is a good first step for Canadians – and, by extension, our farmers, growers and ranchers,” said Dave Carey, co-chair of ACA. “We welcome this news, and we look forward to the ongoing discussion on permanently removing the carbon pricing mechanism for producers.” “With many farmers on the eve of a new growing season, and others in the midst of harvest, they need certainty when it comes to future carbon pricing and the impact on all farms. We hope this this will come through legislative action once Parliament has resumed.” The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, passed in 2019, sets out a legislative framework for both the consumer carbon price and the industrial price. Without a future legislative change though, the risk remains that farmers could continue paying a carbon price on essential farming activities such as irrigation, grain drying, feed preparation, heating or cooling of barns and other agriculture growing structures. “Our farmer members are facing a …
Canadian Grain Farmers Threatened by Trade War on Two Fronts with the U.S. and China
March 10, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Canadian grain farmers are facing a trade crisis on two fronts, with escalating tariffs from both the United States and China threatening billions in exports and putting the future of family farms at exceptional risk. The Chinese government’s decision to impose 100 percent tariffs on Canadian canola oil, canola meal, and peas comes as trade tensions with the U.S. continue to pressure Canada’s grain sector. “With uncertainty mounting with the United States, our largest export market, the last thing grain farmers needed was a trade war with China, our second largest export market,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “Together, the U.S. and China account for over half of all Canadian grain exports — losing access or facing exorbitant tariffs in both markets at once is a threat farmers cannot afford to absorb.” Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) echo the concerns raised by the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Canola Council of Canada (CCC), and Pulse Canada that farmers are facing mounting pressure which could cause a net loss for many. In 2024, Canada exported 2 million metric tonnes of canola meal to China, valued at $918 million, and over 15,000 metric tonnes …
