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.
U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Grain Will Cost American Families, Says GGC
Feb. 3, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – The U.S. administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Canadian grain and grain products, set to take effect tomorrow, will drive up the cost of essential food staples for American families, warns Grain Growers of Canada (GGC). “This isn’t just a tariff on Canadian farmers—it’s a tax on every American family purchasing loaf of bread, oatmeal, canola oil, and other food staples at the grocery store,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “A 25% tariff is, in effect, a 25% tax on American consumers,” he added. The United States imports over $17 billion worth of Canadian grain and grain products every year to meet domestic demand. These imports include wheat for bread, durum for pasta, oats for food products, canola for oil and biofuels, barley for feed and brewing, and other grain and grain products for widespread usage. As of 2023, Canadian wheat exports to the U.S. totaled over $1 billion, oats reached $580 million, barley accounted for over $200 million, and canola exports—crucial for cooking oil and biofuels—were valued at $8.5 billion. “Reckless tariffs will only lead to costly consequences,” said Tara Sawyer, Chair of GGC and Alberta grain farmer. “This is both true for …
GGC Remains Opposed to the Capital Gains Tax Increase Despite Deferment
STATEMENT Jan. 31, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) continues to be opposed to the capital gains tax increase despite the announcement today by the Government of Canada that they would postpone collecting the increase until January 1st, 2026. The tax hike has already forced many family farms to sell early and will increase cost for most family-run grain farms who produce the majority of food that Canadians and the world rely on once implemented next year. Delaying bad policy doesn’t fix bad policy – it just drags out uncertainty, derails succession planning, and challenges the future of family farms. When this tax hike takes effect, it will also target farmers’ retirement plans, move the goalposts for the next generation of producers, and further complicate the tax code, driving up accounting and legal expenses for all farmers. To protect family farms, we are continuing to call on the government to completely reverse the capital gains tax increase to ensure that family-run grain farms continue to be the backbone of Canada’s agricultural sector. -Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of Grain Growers of Canada -30- For media inquiries, please contact: Grain Growers of Canadamedia@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841
CWRC commits $11.8 million to USask Crop Development Centre
Jan. 28, 2025 (Carman, MB; Saskatoon, SK; Calgary, AB) – The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) has committed $11.8 million over the next five years to a core breeding agreement (CBA) with the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC). The new agreement ensures continued CWRC funding for the CDC’s industry-leading wheat breeding programs, as the previous CBA concluded at the end of 2024. “This renewed investment by the CWRC will directly benefit western Canadian farmers by supporting the development of wheat varieties with improved yields, stronger disease resistance and better adaptation to our growing conditions,” said Dean Hubbard, CWRC chair and a farmer near Claresholm, AB. “Farmer-funded breeding programs like this ensure that producers have access to innovative, high-performing varieties that are in demand and help make their farms more productive and sustainable.” CWRC funding via the 2025-29 CBA will support the CDC’s development of new Canadian Western Red Spring (CWRS), Canada Northern Hard Red (CNHR), Canadian Western Amber Durum (CWAD) and Canadian Prairie Spring Red (CPSR) wheat cultivars with strong agronomics and improved resistance to common diseases such as the wheat rusts, common bunt and Fusarium Head Blight. This funding will also support the application of genomic assisted …
Farm Groups Call for Reversal of Capital Gains Inclusion Rate
(OTTAWA, ON – January 17, 2025) The over 130,000 Canadian farmers and ranchers represented by the Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Cattle Association and Grain Growers of Canada are calling on the Government of Canada to reverse its decision to administer the proposed capital gains inclusion rate legislation. Despite the fact that the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance tabled a Notice of Ways and Means Motion (NWMM) to introduce a bill entitled An Act to amend the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations, these changes are subject to parliamentary approval and should not be implemented without the express approval of Parliament. The average age of Canadian farmers is now over 55 years old and tens of billions of dollars in farm assets are set to change hands over the next decade. Canadian farms continue to expand, often supporting multiple households, with more and more farms incorporating for tax and estate planning purposes. Meanwhile the cost of land and farm assets continues to rise and those looking to purchase a farm face unprecedented capital costs. We continue to express opposition to the accelerated pace of implementation, the lack of consultation in the lead-up to these proposals, and the changes that undermine the …
Viterra-Bunge Acquisition Approval Fails Canada’s Grain Farmers
Jan. 15, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is extremely disappointed with the decision made yesterday by the Minister of Transport to approve the acquisition of Viterra by Bunge without a divestment of G3. While the approval does include divestments of six grain elevators in Western Canada and a $520 million investment commitment from Bunge, these measures are woefully inadequate to address the profound impact on market competition. GGC has consistently raised concerns about the merger and its long-term consequences for farmers. “Minister Anand’s decision to approve the acquisition, even with conditions, doesn’t go nearly far enough,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “The divestment of six grain elevators is a token gesture in the face of a company that maintains a 25% stake in G3, greatly reducing competition across the Prairies and in Quebec. These conditions do little to offset the $770 million annual cost this merger will impose on farmers.” The Competition Bureau and research conducted by the University of Saskatchewan found that an acquisition without a divestment of G3 would weaken competition in certain geographic regions across the country, notably in Manitoba and Saskatchewan canola crushing markets. The university report calculated a $770 million …
Canada Grains Council Welcomes CUSMA Panel Decision on Genetically Modified Corn
Jan. 6, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – The Canada Grains Council (CGC) welcomes the recent CUSMA panel ruling, which determined that the restrictions Mexico placed on genetically modified (GM) corn were not scientifically justified. Predictable and science-based trade rules are the foundation of a stable and secure food supply across North America. “For Canadian farmers and grain exporters, reliable access to international markets can mean the difference between success and failure,” said Krista Thomas, Vice-President, Trade Policy and Seed Innovation for the CGC. “When major trading partners like Mexico veer away from science-based rules, it creates uncertainty for farmers who rely on GM crops to run their farms efficiently, stay profitable, and take care of the environment.” “GM crops enable farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve soil health,” she added. The dispute centered on Mexico’s 2023 presidential decree, which banned the use of GM corn in dough and tortillas and proposed a phased reduction of GM corn in animal feed and other food uses. The panel found these measures were not based on international standards or guidelines and noted that Mexico failed to conduct a risk assessment before issuing the decree. “Canadian officials and technical experts played a …
Grain Growers of Canada Announces New Executive
Dec. 10, 2024 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is pleased to announce its newly elected executive, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to the organization’s leadership. Tara Sawyer, a grain farmer from Acme, Alberta and Chair of Alberta Grains, has been elected as Chair of GGC. As the first woman to hold this role, Sawyer’s leadership marks an important milestone in GGC’s history. Her dedication to advocating for farmers and her deep understanding of association governance will help guide the organization as it continues to address the challenges and opportunities facing producers. Joining her are Scott Hepworth, a grain grower from Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and a Director of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, as First Vice Chair. Sally Parsonage, a grain producer from Baldur, Manitoba and the Secretary of Manitoba Crop Alliance, joins the executive as Second Vice Chair. “We are excited to work under the guidance of this new executive, whose leadership and vision will help advance the priorities of Canada’s grain farmers,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “With Tara Sawyer, Scott Hepworth, and Sally Parsonage at the helm, GGC is well-positioned to address critical issues in 2025 and beyond, such as …
Canada Grains Council’s President Elected as Vice-President of the International Grain Trade Coalition
Nov. 18, 2024 (Geneva, Switzerland) – The International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC) held its General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, bringing together members from around the globe for a hybrid in-person and virtual event. The event focused on strategic planning for 2025 and beyond, including key issues such as non tariff regulatory trade barriers, adopting innovative digital solutions to streamline trade, and fostering stronger partnerships and advocacy to support and promote the grain trade with global organizations like the WTO. A key highlight of the General Assembly was the election of a new executive team, with Erin Gowriluk, President of the Canada Grains Council (CGC), being elected as Vice-President. Alongside Erin, Pat O’Shannassy, CEO of Grain Trade Australia, was named IGTC President, and Rosalind Leeck, Executive Director for Market Access & Strategy with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, elected as Secretary. Gerald Makau Masila was re-elected as Treasurer. In response, Erin Gowriluk, President of the Canada Grains Council, issued the following: “I am so proud to have been given the opportunity to serve as Vice-President of the IGTC during a critical time for the global grain trade. As a founding member of the Coalition, the Canada Grains Council has always championed the IGTC’s mission of fostering science-based, …
