News 

Harper Government Takes Further Steps to Modernize Grain Industry

Back to News

December 9, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Canadian Grain Commission and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The Government of Canada introduced in the House of Commons today the Modernization of Canada's Grain Industry Act. The Bill will build on major reforms made in 2012 by enhancing producer protections and improving grain quality and grain safety assurance.

The amendments would allow the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) to establish a producer compensation fund to protect producers in the event that a licensee fails to pay for grain deliveries. Producer access to binding determination of grade and dockage for their deliveries of grain will be extended to include process elevators, grain dealers, and container loading facilities. A new class of license will be created for container loading facilities, which will also be brought under producer payment protection programs.

Changes aim to make the monitoring of grain safety more consistent across the country, establish a non-binding decision review mechanism to evaluate certain Commission decisions, and allow for more effective enforcement of violations under the Canada Grain Act, Canada Grain Regulations, and orders issued by the Canadian Grain Commission. The Government will undertake consultations with stakeholders, including provinces, in advance of implementation.

The Bill also updates the CGC's mandate clarifying that it acts in the public interest.

Quick Facts

• Across Canada, grain and oilseeds producers generated $23 billion in farm cash receipts for 2013.
• Amendments were made to the Canada Grain Act in October 2012 as part of the Jobs and Growth Act that streamlined the operations of the CGC and reduced costs to the grain sector.
• These changes are part of our Government's ongoing reform of the grain sector, which includes regulatory modernization, investments in science and research and an aggressive trade and market access agenda. Other grain sector reforms were included in the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act in 2011 and the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act this year.
• The CGC is the federal agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada's grain quality standards and regulating grain handling in Canada to ensure a dependable commodity for domestic and export markets.

Quote

"Canadian grain farmers drive our economy and this is one of the many ways we are modernizing the sector to make it more competitive. This legislation will continue to modernize the organizations that support the Canadian grain sector and enhance Canada's excellent reputation around the world as a supplier of consistent, safe and high-quality grains."

- Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

Additional Links

• Harper Government Streamlines the Canadian Grain Commission to Keep Grain Industry competitive
• Legislation
• Canada Grain Act amendment details

Contacts

Jeff English
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz 
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 
613-773-1059

Rémi Gosselin
Manager, Corporate Information Services
Canadian Grain Commission
204-983-2749

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972 
Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada