Grain Growers of Canada Archives - Newsline by Cole's Ag

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on August 11, 2025, 1:10pm

GGC Summer Tour to Bring Farmer Voices to the Forefront of Federal Policy

OTTAWA, August 11, 2025 – As policy pressures mount across the grain sector, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is touring the Prairies to hear directly from producers and bring their concerns directly to Members of Parliament and back to Ottawa.

From August 11 to 14, GGC Executive Director Kyle Larkin will be visiting grain farms across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, joined by local Members of Parliament. The GGC Summer Tour will spotlight the real-world impact of federal decisions on grain farming including trade uncertainty, the capital gains tax increase and decreasing research funding.

Larkin will be available for media interviews to highlight challenges facing grain producers and the policy changes needed to support their immediate and long-term success.

Who: Kyle Larkin, Executive Director, Grain Growers of Canada; Members of Parliament; Grain Growers of Canada members

What: Grain Growers of Canada Summer Tour – Crop tours and meetings with MPs

When and Where:

August 11 – Randolph, Man. and Cypress River, Man.
August 12 – Carievale, Sask. and Churchbridge, Sask.
August 13 – Davidson, Sask. and Daylesford, Sask.
August 14 – Killam, Alta. and Smoky Lake, Alta.

Why: With harvest approaching and policy and trade uncertainty continuing to disrupt the grain sector, GGC is working to bring the realities of grain farms directly to Ottawa. Ahead of the fall parliamentary session, the Summer Tour will connect GGC with producers and local MPs to ensure federal decision-makers understand the immediate pressures facing grain farmers and the long-term solutions needed to strengthen the sector.

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About Grain Growers of Canada (GGC):
As the national voice for Canada’s grain farmers, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) represents over 70,000 producers through our 14 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members steward 110 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
Communications Manager
Grain Growers of Canada
hana@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on July 31, 2025, 7:00am

Grain Growers of Canada Announces New Executive

July 31, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is pleased to announce its newly elected executive, representing a strong and united voice for grain farmers across the country.

Scott Hepworth, a grain farmer from Assiniboia, Saskatchewan and Director with the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, has been elected Chair of GGC. With deep roots in prairie agriculture and a strong background in policy advocacy, Hepworth brings steady leadership and a clear vision to the role during a critical time for the sector.

Joining him on the executive are Sally Parsonage, a grain farmer from Baldur, Manitoba and Vice Chair of Manitoba Crop Alliance, as 1st Vice Chair, and Daryl Fransoo, a grain farmer from Glaslyn, Saskatchewan and the Chair of the Wheat Growers Association, as 2nd Vice Chair. Together, they bring strong governance experience and a clear understanding of the policy environment shaping Canadian grain production.

“We are proud to welcome our new executive, whose leadership brings valuable experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing grain farmers,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “With Scott, Sally, and Daryl’s leadership in these roles, GGC is well positioned to advance short-term and long-term policy solutions that strengthen the profitability, resiliency, and viability of family-run grain farms across Canada.”

The new executive begins its term effective immediately.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Hana Sabah
Communications Manager
Grain Growers of Canada
hana@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on June 18, 2025, 3:36pm

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 existing trade agreements that both support the sector’s export growth and the country’s long-term economic prosperity.

“With critical trade negotiations and renegotiations ahead, including with our largest trading partner, the United States, passing Bill C-202 sends the wrong message internationally,” added Larkin. “For grain farmers who rely on access to international markets, the result will be less ambitious trade agreements, fewer export opportunities, and slower economic growth at home.”

The Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is scheduled for review in 2026 and could lead to a full renegotiation. At the same time, the federal government is pursuing a free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a region that holds significant potential for expanding Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports.

“Parliament chose to prioritize one group of farmers over another,” said Scott Hepworth, Acting Chair of GGC. “As a grain producer, I know firsthand how important international trade is to my family’s livelihood. Without reliable access to global markets, farmers like me are left behind. With Bill C-202 now passed, the government must refocus its efforts on helping grain farmers grow more food and expand our exports.”

To grow Canada’s economy and support grain farmers, GGC is calling on the government to seriously address issues impacting international trade. This includes critical infrastructure investments, especially at the Port of Vancouver, returning funding levels in public plant breeding research to pre-2013 levels, and bolstering the work of the Market Access Secretariat to address barriers to trade.

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Media Contact:
Hana Sabah
Manager, Communications
Grain Growers of Canada
Email: hana@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on May 13, 2025, 12:05pm

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 Sidhu, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Julie Dabrusin. GGC equally welcomes Secretaries of State Buckley Belanger, John Zerucelli and Rechie Valdez.

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Media Contact:

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

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on April 29, 2025, 9:29am

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 through its Vote for Grain campaign, which saw hundreds of letters sent to political candidates across the country. The campaign also urged the government to invest in trade-enabling infrastructure, improve transportation systems, modernize regulations, support plant breeding innovation, and defend access to global markets through rules-based trade.

“Grain farmers are ready to be an equal partner with government in growing Canada’s economy,” said Larkin. “We look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and all Members of Parliament in addressing short-term challenges and creating long-term policies that support family farms across Canada.”

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For more information, please contact:

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

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on March 24, 2025, 11:15am

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 causing a fall in commodity prices, rising input costs, and increasing government taxation and regulation are putting intense pressure on farmers. This election—and the decisions made in the years to come—will determine the future of Canadian grain farming. Political parties need to understand what’s at stake and commit to supporting our sector.”

GGC will issue a questionnaire to political parties to clarify their positions on key issues and will update the guide accordingly. GGC is calling on all grain farmers to visit www.VoteforGrain.ca to participate and ensure grain farming remains a priority this election.

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For more information, please contact:

Grain Growers of Canada
514-834-8841 | media@graingrowers.ca

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on March 10, 2025, 3:42pm

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 of canola oil, valued at over $20.5 million. The five-year average for yellow pea exports to China stands at over 1.5 million metric tonnes, valued at more than $740 million annually. Canada also exports over $17 billion worth of grain and grain products to the U.S. each year — a market increasingly threatened by shifting trade policies.

“These tariffs will push down the prices farmers receive for our crops, just as input costs and government regulations are already eating into our bottom line,” said Tara Sawyer, Chair of GGC. “When farmers see prices drop, it impacts every part of their operation — from how much they can invest in next year’s crop to their ability to support their families. We’re being forced to pay the price for political decisions beyond our control.”

The Chinese tariffs are a direct response to Canada’s recent decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum.

“Farmers are being treated as collateral damage in international trade disputes,” Larkin said. “We’re calling on the government to take immediate action — first, to engage with China to find a resolution and, second, to establish a compensation plan to cover the financial losses farmers are facing.”

GGC stands with CCGA, CCC, and Pulse Canada in urging the federal government to defend Canada’s agricultural sector and maintain access to key export markets.

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For more information, please contact:
Grain Growers of Canada
514-834-8841 | media@graingrowers.ca

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on March 4, 2025, 10:02am

CORRECTION: GGC Sounds the Alarm on U.S. Tariffs Threatening Family-Run Grain Farms

March 4, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is sounding the alarm on the United States’ decision to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian grain and grain products, a move that threatens the viability of family-run grain farms and drives up food costs for American consumers.

“Tariffs of this magnitude will put family-run grain farms at risk by introducing widespread market uncertainty,” said Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “The U.S. is by far our largest trading partner, with over $17 billion CAD of Canadian grain and grain products exported to every year. These unjustified tariffs threaten that trade relationship—and farmers’ livelihoods.”

Canada exports over 70% of the grain it produces to over 150 countries around the world. The prices Canadian farmers receive for crops such as wheat, canola, oats, barley, and pulses are tied to international markets. Disruptions to trade networks drive down farmgate prices, making it harder for growers to stay afloat.

“As price takers, grain farmers are at the whim of the global markets that we export to,” said Tara Sawyer, Chair of GGC and an Alberta grain farmer. “Margins are already razor-thin, and an added financial burden like this could put the future of many family farms in jeopardy.”

“Canadian family-run grain farms are already facing death by a thousand cuts through increased input costs, regulatory burdens, and taxation,” said Larkin. “Uncertainty with our largest trading partner for grain and grain products, on top of ongoing instability with our second-largest trading partner, China, could push many family farms to the brink.”

The importation of $17 billion CAD worth of Canadian grain and grain products supports the United States in being able to meet their own domestic food security needs, while also supporting their agri-food sector in exporting products internationally for the best price possible.

“A 25% tariff on Canadian grain and grain products is in effect a 25% tax on American consumers who purchase groceries every day,” said Larkin. “From bread and pasta to beer, oatmeal, and canola oil, dozens of products could see price increases amid an affordability crisis for both American and Canadian consumers.”

GGC is calling on the Canadian government to take action to eliminate these recently imposed tariffs. Without their elimination, farmers will face vast uncertainty and consumers will see a spike in their grocery costs.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Grain Growers of Canada
media@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on February 3, 2025, 8:36am

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 Canadian grain farmers but also American producers who rely on Canadian potash to fertilize their farms. Whether you’re growing crops or buying groceries, these tariffs will make life more expensive at a time when most are already being priced out.”

Beyond food prices, these tariffs threaten the broader U.S. agricultural economy. Canadian grain imports allow American farmers to focus on high-value exports, securing better returns for their crops and strengthening North America’s position as a global agricultural powerhouse.

“It’s time to move past the tariffs and work together to continue creating the strongest international cross-border agriculture sector,” added Larkin. “Policies like this only punish the people they claim to protect. Consumers and farmers, on both sides of the border, deserve better.”

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Grain Growers of Canada
media@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on January 31, 2025, 12:34pm

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

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Grain Growers of Canada
media@graingrowers.ca | 514-834-8841