Canadian Grain, Oilseed Group Formed

July 12, 2000

A national organization of Canada's cereal, oilseed, and special crop producers has been created to represent grower interests in federal farm policy making. The establishment of the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) comes after six months of planning and consultation with grain producer organizations across the country.

Initial membership includes the Alberta Barley Commission, Atlantic Grains Council, Alberta Winter Wheat Producers Commission, Ontario Corn ProducersÆ Association, Ontario Soybean Growers, Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association, and Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association. Grain producer groups from British Columbia, Quebec, as well as others within Ontario and the prairies have expressed strong interest in being a part of the GGC and membership is currently under consideration, according to the GGC.

The GGC's purpose is to represent Canadian grain producers, at national and international levels, and strive to maximize opportunities within a competitive and open marketplace. It will be a forum where growers from across the country "can develop comprehensive policy positions and send clear messages to the federal government," according to the new organization.

Policy development will get underway, when the GGC holds its inaugural policy convention in November in Ottawa, Ontario. Issues affecting grain growers will be on the agenda for debate and resolution. Speakers on these policy issues will be invited to address the convention in the sessions that are open to government, industry, and the media. The GGC will also hold a business meeting, where the executive will be decided through an election among members.