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

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on April 30, 2026, 1:12pm

“Too Much on the Line” campaign launched as new study reveals the cost of supply chain disruptions

April 30, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – A new economic analysis finds a single week of rail and port disruptions during peak export season costs Canada’s grain sector up to $540 million, largely in unrecoverable export sales.

The analysis, commissioned by the Agriculture Transport Coalition, examined the economic impact of labour disruptions across rail and port operations during peak grain export periods and found that losses compound rapidly and fall disproportionately on farmers and exporters, with missed sales that cannot be recovered once shipments are delayed.

The coalition released the findings today as part of Too Much on the Line, a national campaign calling on the federal government to reform Canada’s labour relations framework and reduce the risk of future supply chain shutdowns.

The coalition is encouraging Canadians to visit KeepGrainMoving.ca and send a letter to their Member of Parliament, adding that participation in the federal consultation process is critical to ensuring government decisions reflect the economic realities of Canada’s grain supply chain.

“Every time grain stops moving, the consequences are immediate and unrecoverable,” said Bruce Burrows, executive director of Grain Growers of Canada. “Missed sales, broken contracts, and a reputation as a reliable supplier that takes years to rebuild. Canada cannot keep accepting this as the cost of doing business. There is simply too much on the line.”

The grain sector is uniquely exposed. Canada exports over 70 per cent of its grain production, with 94 per cent moving by rail. The analysis found that even the threat of disruption triggers losses, with up to $112 million in missed sales occurring before a work stoppage begins.

The findings come against the backdrop of the unprecedented dual railway stoppage in 2024, which brought grain shipments to a halt and cost the sector millions of dollars per day. Repeated disruptions have raised questions about Canada’s reliability as a global supplier at a time when agricultural exports are central to economic resilience.

With federal consultations on the labour relations framework now underway, the coalition is calling for two targeted recommendations:

• Ensure good-faith bargaining by appointing a Special Mediator to oversee collective bargaining, manage timelines, and ensure progress

• Resolve disputes before they escalate by providing the Minister with authority to consider economic harm and refer disputes to binding arbitration when necessary

“Canada’s customers expect reliability, and repeated disruptions put that at risk,” said Greg Northey, vice president of corporate affairs with Pulse Canada. “With so much on the line, this is a critical moment to ensure the right policy framework is in place.”

The coalition said it will continue to engage with government and stakeholders throughout the consultation process, with a focus on advancing solutions that protect Canada’s reputation, support farmers, and strengthen long-term competitiveness.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Hana Sabah
hana@graingrowers.ca | (514) 834-8841

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on April 17, 2026, 9:49am

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes Bill C-273 to support innovation and competitiveness in agriculture

April 17, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) — Grain Growers of Canada welcomes the introduction of Bill C-273, the FARM Act, which would help drive innovation and competitiveness in Canadian agriculture through faster access to crop protection tools.

Bill C-273 would require provisional approval within 90 days for products already approved in two trusted international jurisdictions, while maintaining Canada’s rigorous safety standards through a subsequent full review process.

Improving the pace at which new products reach the market has long been a priority for the agriculture sector, which has consistently called for regulatory modernization to improve the timeliness, transparency and predictability of the agricultural innovation system.

Bill C-273 would help advance that objective by enabling faster adoption of innovation and supporting competitiveness across the sector.

Introduced by Conservative MP David Bexte, the bill builds on similar legislation previously brought forward by Liberal MP Kody Blois, reflecting support for agriculture across party lines and a shared recognition that Canada’s regulatory timelines need to improve. This alignment in Parliament presents a clear opportunity to move forward in a practical way that helps farmers in a rapidly changing environment.

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes this consensus and emphasizes the opportunity to advance Bill C-273 without delay, in line with commitments to reduce regulatory burden in agriculture and support important innovation and producer competitiveness.

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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 100,000 producers through our 15 national, provincial and regional grower groups. Our members steward 120 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 more information, please contact:
Hana Sabah
Senior Communications Manager
Grain Growers of Canada
514-834-8841 | hana@graingrowers.ca

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on March 19, 2026, 8:38am

Grain Growers of Canada appoints Bruce Burrows as Executive Director

March 19, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.) – Grain Growers of Canada today announced Bruce Burrows as Executive Director, effective April 1, 2026.

Burrows brings more than four decades of experience across transportation, infrastructure, labour policy, and association leadership. Based in Ottawa, he has built a career developing and implementing effective government relations strategies, including policy development, political advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building across national industry organizations.

He has held senior leadership roles with the Chamber of Marine Commerce and the Railway Association of Canada, as well as strategic advisory roles with Tactix. Earlier in his career, he held management positions with Canadian Pacific Railway in Canada and internationally.

Working at the intersection of industry, government, and supply chains, his experience spans transportation, energy, infrastructure, and resource sectors. Burrows is recognized for his ability to navigate complex policy environments, align stakeholders across national organizations, and execute advocacy strategies that deliver results at the federal level.

“It is a real honour to join Grain Growers of Canada and represent the interests of grain farmers across the country,” said Burrows.

“As essential drivers of our economy and suppliers of the food Canadians and customers around the world rely on, it is critical that producers’ priorities remain front and centre in federal decision-making,” he added. “Strong advocacy starts with strong connections, and I look forward to strengthening those relationships by working with producers and members across Canada to ensure their priorities continue to be clearly heard in Ottawa.”

As Canada’s grain sector navigates ongoing domestic and global economic uncertainty, Grain Growers of Canada is confident Bruce Burrows brings the leadership and strategic perspective needed to advance and protect grain producers’ interests.

“Bruce brings a proven ability to drive sector priorities and build strong industry coalitions that effectively engage government,” said Grain Growers of Canada Chair Scott Hepworth. “The Board is confident he will strengthen our advocacy and help move those priorities forward for grain producers across Canada.”

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

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on February 6, 2026, 9:32am

Grain sector warns of information gaps in AAFC research reductions, calls for immediate program impact disclosure

Feb. 6, 2026 (Ottawa, Ont.)—Grain Growers of Canada is calling on the federal government to provide clarity on the impacts of recent staffing reductions and announced closures or consolidations of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research facilities, stating that downstream consequences cannot be assessed without clear, program-level information.

“Transparency is essential when decisions affect the foundation of Canada’s agricultural research system,” said Scott Hepworth, chair of Grain Growers of Canada and Saskatchewan grain farmer.

“Without clear disclosure of what research capacity is being reduced or eliminated, the sector cannot understand the long-term risks to production and competitiveness,” he added. “It must be clear what capacity is being lost, where, and with what consequences.”

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has cited personnel confidentiality in limiting details on the announced changes. Grain Growers of Canada emphasized that while personnel confidentiality must be respected, it does not, and should not, prevent disclosure of which programs and research capacities are being impacted.

“Personnel confidentiality is not a barrier to clarity on program impacts,” Hepworth said. “Clarity of affected programs, facilities, and research capacity is both possible and necessary.”

The scale and pace of the announced reductions are raising serious concerns across the grain sector about long-term impacts on research capacity, regional expertise, and innovation pipelines. Decisions of this magnitude require clear impact assessments explaining how applied breeding programs, agronomic research, long-term datasets, and region-specific expertise were evaluated.

“The absence of clear information shifts risk directly onto the sector,” Hepworth said. “When institutional knowledge is lost, long-term datasets are broken, or regional research expertise disappears, those losses cannot simply be reversed, and the consequences will be felt long after these decisions are made.”

Grain Growers of Canada stressed that the release of timely, detailed information is essential. Early certainty around affected facilities, programs, and timelines would allow research partners and producer organizations to respond, mitigate disruption, and protect the integrity of ongoing research and production cycles.

Grain Growers of Canada is calling for immediate disclosure of affected programs, facilities, and research capacity, and will continue to engage with government to ensure decisions affecting

Canada’s agricultural research system do not undermine its global competitiveness, long-term viability, or farmers’ livelihoods.

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

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on January 16, 2026, 2:39pm

Grain Growers of Canada Statement on Canada–China Trade Developments

OTTAWA, Jan. 16, 2026 – Grain Growers of Canada welcomes renewed engagement between Canada and China, including Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Beijing and today’s announcement of preliminary steps to de-escalate recent trade tensions.

For Canada’s grain farmers, restoring predictability and access to key export markets matters. China is Canada’s second-largest grain market, and prolonged trade disruptions have had real consequences on farm revenues, cash flow, and confidence. Any progress that lowers barriers for Canadian agricultural products, including canola and pulses, is a positive step for farmers who depend on stable, rules-based trade.

Grain Growers of Canada has consistently called for pragmatic engagement with both the United States and China to protect tariff-free access and prevent farmers from becoming collateral damage in broader geopolitical disputes. Over 70 percent of the grain grown in Canada is exported, and there are simply no alternatives that can replace markets of this scale.

At the same time, renewed engagement must be grounded in predictability and follow-through. Canadian farmers need assurance that market access will be durable, transparent, and insulated as much as possible from future political escalation. Ongoing issues around trade enforcement, regulatory certainty, and the treatment of Canadian exports will require continued, steady government attention.

As discussions continue following this week’s announcements, Grain Growers of Canada urges the federal government to keep agriculture front and centre, work closely with producers and exporters, and ensure that progress translates into reliable market access at the farm gate.

Canadian grain farmers are ready to supply global markets. What they need from government is consistency, certainty, and a clear commitment to keeping trade working.

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

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on January 8, 2026, 12:48pm

Grain Farmers of Ontario Joins Grain Growers of Canada, Strengthening National Advocacy

Jan. 8, 2026 (Ottawa & Guelph, Ont.) — Canada’s grain sector is strengthening its national advocacy voice as Grain Farmers of Ontario formally joins Grain Growers of Canada, with federal decisions on trade, transportation, research, and infrastructure taking centre stage.

Grain Growers of Canada represents grain farmers through its national, provincial, and regional member organizations, bringing a unified national voice to federal discussions on behalf of grain producers across the country. For nearly 25 years, the organization has advocated for the grain sector’s competitiveness and long-term viability, advancing policy grounded in on-farm realities for a sector generating $45 billion in annual exports.

“For decades, grain farmers have been dealing with the fallout of long-standing issues that have been left unresolved,” said Scott Hepworth, chair, Grain Growers of Canada. “Global market instability is exposing cracks across the system, and Grain Farmers of Ontario joining Grain Growers of Canada reflects just how broad these pressures are and why a unified national voice, representing every major grain-producing region, is critical now.”

Ontario is one of Canada’s largest grain-producing provinces and a critical contributor to the country’s export economy. Grain Farmers of Ontario joins Grain Growers of Canada alongside its 14 other grain grower groups from across the country, strengthening national representation to ensure the sector can continue to move grain efficiently, compete internationally, and respond to changing market conditions.

“Ontario’s grain farmers are strongest when we stand united with our peers across Canada,” said Jeff Harrison, chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Joining the Grain Growers of Canada is a strategic decision that reflects today’s political landscape and positions all grain farmers for long-term success. We bring deep expertise and a strong voice to national discussions, and we are committed to working collaboratively to advance policies that benefit farmers from coast to coast.”

Together, Grain Farmers of Ontario and Grain Growers of Canada will work to ensure federal policy frameworks governing a wide range of critical topics – such as trade, transportation, research, and infrastructure – reflect the operational realities of grain farming and the consequences those decisions carry for Canada’s export economy.

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About Grain Farmers of Ontario:
Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover more than six million acres of farmland, generate over $4.1 billion in production value, contribute over $27 billion in economic output, and support more than 90,000 jobs across the province.

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

Susan Blundell
Director, Communications
Grain Farmers of Ontario
226-820-6641 | sblundell@gfo.ca media@gfo.ca

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on November 4, 2025, 4:40pm

Budget 2025 Provides Clarity for Canadian Grain Farmers but Raises Concerns for Competitiveness

Nov. 4, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) responded to targeted wins for grain farmers in Budget 2025, including the permanent reversal of the capital gains tax increase, but cautioned that other measures could undermine farm competitiveness.

“Budget 2025 acknowledged the impact that the capital gains tax increase would have had on family-run grain farms across Canada by permanently reversing it,” began Kyle Larkin, Executive Director of GGC. “This will ensure that family farms can continue their succession planning with certainty and that the next generation of farmers does not pay millions of dollars more in taxes.”

The budget also allocated significant sums towards trade diversification, including in response to the challenges that growers are currently facing due to Chinese tariffs on canola and peas. This includes the creation of a Strategic Exports Office and funds for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to modernize trade tools and secure market access.

“I’m seeing first-hand how trade uncertainty is impacting grain farmers across the country,” said Scott Hepworth, Chair of Grain Growers of Canada and a grain farmer from Saskatchewan. “With challenges in the U.S. and tariffs in China, producers are under real pressure. The new investments in digital export tools and market diversification are positive steps. We need every tool available to keep grain moving, find new customers, and protect our bottom line in an unpredictable global environment.”

Infrastructure also features prominently in Budget 2025, with $213 million for the Major Projects Office to coordinate public and private investment and a new $5 billion Trade Diversification Fund to strengthen Canada’s export corridors. With nearly 70% of Canadian grain exported, efficient port infrastructure remains vital to keeping products moving to global markets on time and competitively.

“We continue to urge the government to add the Port of Vancouver to the next major projects list,” said Larkin. “It’s the single most important export gateway for Canadian grain, and its inclusion would send a clear signal that Ottawa is serious about improving trade competitiveness.”

Missing from the budget, however, was any commitment to extended interswitching, a key measure that expired in March 2025 and had allowed the sector to access competing rail lines, reducing shipping costs and improving service. “Without extended interswitching, farmers lose a competitive tool that kept costs in check and performance accountable,” Larkin warned.

GGC also expressed concern over the government’s plan to reduce Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s operating budget by 15% over three years, a move that could undermine public research and breeding programs essential to innovation and productivity.

“While Budget 2025 provides much-needed clarity for farmers, it falls short of delivering the full competitiveness framework needed,” continued Larkin. “We look forward to continuing to work with the government to ensure the sector remains competitive, resilient, and profitable to drive Canada’s export economy.”

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

NewsLine by Cole's Ag on September 11, 2025, 4:12pm

Major projects list incomplete without the Port of Vancouver, says GGC

Sept. 11, 2025 (Ottawa, ON) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) warns that the federal government’s major projects list remains incomplete without the inclusion of urgent upgrades required at the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest port and the country’s most critical trade chokepoint.

Connecting the Canadian economy to the fast-growing Indo-Pacific region, the Port of Vancouver is essential to Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. More than 50% of the grain grown in Canada is exported through the port, accounting for $35 million in daily exports of grain and grain products. Yet the infrastructure that underpins this trade, such as the Second Narrows Rail Bridge and New Westminster Rail Bridge, built in 1969 and 1904 respectively, are chokepoints at capacity with no redundancy if they fail.

GGC is calling on the Government of Canada and the Major Projects Office to designate the Port of Vancouver and its connecting rail infrastructure as a project of national significance to secure trade, protect economic growth, and maintain Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of essential products to the world.

Unless critical trade-enabling infrastructure is prioritized, GGC says, Canada’s nation-building agenda will remain incomplete and fall short of its economic potential.

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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 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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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