Below you will find a collection of active files that MCGA is monitoring including submissions on behalf of our membership. Our advocacy partners work on many more priorities beyond those of direct impact to canola farmers in Manitoba. Click the links below to learn more about what our partners do.
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China Trade |
Background
Manitoba Canola Growers (MCGA) is in urgent and regular discussion with our national partners at the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) and Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), as well as Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) and the provincial government on the current trade investigations from China. MCGA is actively advocating for farmers to ensure their canola seed has a stable end market, and farmers have stable and ready ability to sell and transport their canola to manage farm expenses.
We will continue to work closely with our partners and governments while we navigate the investigation and its potential impact on Canadian canola farmers. To guide the actions and position of MCGA during our ongoing strategic discussions we are providing regular confidential updates to our board of directors. This ensures that Manitoba farmers are being heard as we take part in numerous meetings including frequent canola-sector meetings for sector-wide action planning. We are committed to providing regular updates to our membership when new details arise and are appropriate to share publicly.
We are always open to hearing from our members. If you have any specific concerns regarding this issue that you would like us to consider or potentially bring forward please send them to info@nullcanolagrowers.com. Your input is valuable guidance for developing position statements on this issue.
Advocacy Partners
Port of Vancouver Work Stoppage |
Background
In September 2024, the possibility of a Grain Workers Union (GWU) Local 333 strike at the Port of Vancouver threatened to stop all shipments of bulk grain through the port. On September 24, the strike became a reality, halting nearly 100,000 metric tonnes of grain arriving at these terminals per day, and resulting in a loss of $35 million in potential exports daily according to the Grain Growers of Canada. It was an unwelcome setback to the canola sector that is already facing the impact of other trade and transportation challenges this fall.
MCGA supported the call made by our national and provincial industry partners Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada, Keystone Agricultural Producers and Grain Growers of Canada for action from the Government of Canada and all parties to swiftly resolve the work stoppage and minimize additional harm to the canola sector. The strike was relatively short-lived. On October 4, 2024 the GWU ratified the agreement reached on September 27, 2024, ending the strike.
Advocacy Partner
Railway Work Stoppage |
Background
In early 2024, the possibility of a disruption in rail service between Canada’s Class I railways (CN & CPKC) and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference union began. MCGA stayed in close and regular contact with the many sister associations addressing this national issue, including Canadian Canola Growers Association, Keystone Agricultural Producers, Canola Council of Canada, Canadian Oilseed Processors Association, and the Grain Growers of Canada. MCGA’s role was to support the organizations by amplifying their message to government and keeping our members informed and engaged through the StopTheStrike.ca campaign.
On August 22, the work stoppage became a reality with a lockout. Lost exports were estimated at $11M per day for canola seed and $20.5 million per day in lost sales of canola oil and meal.
Shortly after the strike began, Minister MacKinnon responded to farmers’ concerns and did what was needed to resume access to rail transportation, though the impact of work slowdowns and the brief stoppage were real and avoidable. MCGA continues to work through our advocacy partners to ensure rail transportation is fully available for our members this harvest. We are grateful for the impactful work of our advocacy partners through the StopTheStrike.ca campaign, and the strong response of our members that led to a positive outcome.
Advocacy Partner
Government and Industry Consultations |
Background
The activities and decisions affecting Manitoba canola growers continue to grow in number and complexity. MCGA is actively engaged to ensure the needs of canola farmers are considered in these decisions. We regularly correspond with representatives from provincial governments, industry partners and stakeholders in agriculture, as well as other industries like energy, environment, conservation, and grocery to monitor or influence decisions affecting canola farmers. We work closely with multiple provincial and national farm organizations to ensure the voice of Manitoba canola farmers is heard on the issues that matter most. We show up where it counts and are committed to speaking up with informed, creative and insightful feedback to drive bold action for canola farmers.
Most recently, MCGA met with Minister of Agriculture Ron Kostyshyn, as well as Deputy Minister Brenda DeSerranno, for consultations in preparation for the upcoming Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) meetings in Whitehorse, Yukon. Priority topics included increased and timely delivery of funding for research and extension of that research to farmers in the face of increased risk and unpredictability, advocacy for modern farm practices and technology to consumers, and opportunities for better leadership in trade around niche products like canola protein.
Past Consultations:
Plan 20-50 – Joint response with KAP to recommend improvements to the Plan 20-50 strategy affecting the Winnipeg metropolitan and surrounding area
MCGA response to SAS – March 2023
MCGA response to Next Policy Framework Consultation – October 2021
EngageMB MCGA Comments – August 2020
Advocacy Partner
Potential Merger Between Bunge and Viterra |
Background
Since the announcement in Summer 2023 that Bunge and Viterra were intending to merge, MCGA has been actively engaged with the Competition Bureau raising MCGA farmer members’ serious concerns about the potential merger between Bunge and Viterra, as the merger would substantially lessen competition among buyers and crushers, limiting farmer choice and potentially impacting price competitiveness. Directors have shared their concerns first-hand in interviews with the Competition Bureau, and MCGA has also forwarded investigators to multiple farm groups in Manitoba and across Canada to ensure all farmers’ concerns are heard. The Competition Bureau sought input from farmers on this merger and MCGA developed a survey of questions from the Competition Bureau to help gather members’ input. Survey responses were compiled and anonymously submitted in a report to the organizations conducting the formal review.
Here is what we heard (click to review a summary of survey responses).
Advocacy Partner
30% Fertilizer Emission Reduction Target |
Background
Under the 2020 report, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, the Government of Canada proposed a 30% emissions reduction target for on-farm fertilizer use by the year 2030. This target is part of Canada’s commitment to contribute to the global emissions reduction targets set in the Paris Agreement, initiated in 2016. In spring 2022, a consultation period was launched on additional discussion documents that provide more detail on the government’s position and targets. MCGA staff and board have been working closely with our provincial and national sister associations to understand the detail of what the government has proposed, assess its impact on all aspects of sustainability on the farm (environmental, economic, and social), and find solutions that balance the global need to sustainably manage carbon emissions with the Canadian farmers’ need to produce canola to meet global demand and contribute to a successful farm business. In 2022, the Canola Council of Canada became a recipient of funding through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund, a program designed to support farmers in adopting beneficial management practices that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases in three areas: nitrogen management, cover cropping and rotational grazing practices. MCGA is working closely with CCC as they deliver the programming that will support farmers to adopt beneficial management practices focused on nitrogen management.
MCGA’s Stance
Farmers are experts in caring for the land and managing businesses that last for generations. MCGA clearly recognizes the critical role of fertilizer to maximize canola yield and profitability, while protecting soil health and producing high-quality, reliable and affordable crops. We continue to reiterate that any efforts to reduce fertilizer emissions can not come through a reduction of fertilizer rates that jeopardize production efficiency, quantity and quality for farmers. We also know first-hand the extraordinary efforts that Manitoba canola farmers have already taken to maximize their production efficiency and mitigate the environmental impact of farming over the long term. Further, we acknowledge the global effort to reduce carbon emissions, and the possibility that while much has already been done, more could be done to improve fertilizer efficiency and emissions reduction. MCGA continues to actively participate in the ongoing AAFC consultations and included the voice of Manitoba Canola farmers through our August 31, 2022 submission.
MCGA Response to Emission Reduction Consultation – August 31, 2022
Canola organizations raise priorities at AAFC town hall discussion on fertilizer emissions reduction
AAFC Launches Consultation on Fertilizer Emission Reduction Target
Canola Council update on On-Farm Climate Action Fund
A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy
Advocacy Partner
Clean Fuel Regulation |
Background
Manitoba Canola Growers have been actively working alongside Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA), Canola Council of Canada (CCC) and Canadian Oil Processors Association (COPA) to review and recommend improvements to the Clean Fuel Regulation (CFR) that would provide meaningful value to canola farmers in Manitoba and across Canada.
We appreciate the many months of analysis and lobbying that CCGA, CCC and COPA put into shaping the CFR, particularly their push for aggregate measures of compliance that would use existing data sources rather than more cumbersome means to confirm compliance on-farm.
The CFR came into force on July 1, 2023. The requirements for the Land Use and Biodiversity Criteria (LUB) – one of the areas of focus that was dramatically improved by the lobbying efforts of our partners – took effect on January 1, 2024, and will apply to crop harvested in 2024. More information on the CFR is available at www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/energy-production/fuel-regulations/clean-fuel-regulations.
MCGA’s Stance
MCGA has been actively supporting expansion of the biofuels market in Canada for many years, recognizing that well-written policies would support increased demand for canola. We support CCGA, CCC, and COPA’s extensive work to revise the Clean Fuels Regulation in order to provide a clear benefit to Canadian canola farmers, the Canadian biofuels sector, and the environment.
Webinar – Driving Demand: What the Clean Fuel Regulations mean for Canadian canola farmers
Concerns with Development of Federal Clean Fuel Standard – Minister Blaine Pedersen – Aug 19, 2020
Advocacy Partner
Business Risk Management |
Background
MCGA recognizes that Business Risk Management Tools, especially AgriStability, could be improved to the benefit of canola farmers in Manitoba. It has been a top priority to work with lobbying partners at a provincial and national level to push for urgent changes to support farmers now, and develop an improved program that supports farmers in the long term.
MCGA’s Stance
Manitoba Canola Growers signed on to a December 2020 joint letter to Minister Blaine Pedersen asking to accept the federal AgriStability offer. While the improvements announced at that time did not reflect the full ask put forward by MCGA and our partners, MCGA continues to work with government and industry partners to explore new models through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership that maintain and improve risk management for farmers while encouraging continuous improvement of sustainable farm management practices where possible.
MCGA response to Next Policy Framework Consultation – October 2021
Statement on AgriStability Offer – January 28, 2021
Call to ratify changes to AgriStability – Minister Blaine Pedersen – December 17, 2020
Request for meeting & changes to BRM – Minister Blaine Pedersen – Aug 25, 2020
Letter of support for BRM EAP Review – Minister Ralph Eichler – Jul 12, 2018
Advocacy Partner
Canada Grain Act |
Background
It’s been nearly 50 years since the Canada Grain Act has been open for review and updated. Grain marketing and handling have evolved substantially over this time, and changes to the Act are needed to reflect today’s realities. Manitoba Canola Growers worked closely with Canadian Canola Growers Association and our provincial counterparts to develop a farmer-led response to government, which can be found at the link below. This submission also provided an opportunity to address the MCGA Member Resolution from 2021 seeking a mandatory export sales reporting program.
MCGA’s Stance
Farmer input on the review of this Act is important to ensure it reflects modern agricultural practices and effectively supports grain farming. MCGA has taken an active role in this review, and strongly encouraged our members to include your voice as well. We are proud to have worked closely with national and provincial canola organizations to create a thorough and farmer-led joint submission that seeks to redefine grain quality for domestic and export markets, modernize producer protections to reflect current selling and delivery practices, increase transparency and accountability to regain farmers’ confidence, and address the importance of a mandatory export sales reporting program.
CCGA and MCGA continue to ask for mandatory sales reporting. The response has been slow as the change would require Minister intervention or change to legislation or regulation, which is a time-consuming and multi-step process. This data reporting is not currently in the Canadian Grain Commission’s mandate and a model for implementing it is not clear, further complicating the next steps. CCGA has moved to promoting sales reporting as a reform to the Canada Grain Act where there will be an opportunity to update the CGC’s statistical mandate and discuss market transparency and producers’ needs.
Canola’s Canada Grain Act Submission: April 30, 2021
Information Courtesy of CCGA: Time for Change: Reviewing the Canada Grain Act
Advocacy Partner
Foundations of Sustainable Crop Production |
Background
The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops (CRSC) spent the past year going back to the drawing board with an effort to develop a document that tells the story of sustainable crop production in Canada. MCGA board and staff have been actively involved on behalf of farmers, sharing the multitude of concerns we heard from members about the first attempt and providing detailed feedback throughout the efforts to develop a new document.
MCGA’s Stance
The MCGA board unanimously objected to the initial draft, entitled the Responsible Grain Code of Practice, and committed many hours reviewing the documents in detail and sharing these objections with the CRSC. However, the MCGA board recognized action was required to deal with the risk farmers face from growing consumer and trade market demand for verified claims that their food is “sustainably produced”.
MCGA insisted that any further effort to create a document that helps market the story of sustainable crop production in Canada must be written by farmers, for farmers, with clear justification for why this document would be of value and how it would be utilized. MCGA staff and directors actively participated in consultations over the past year, and a draft outline of a revised document was expected by summer 2023.
MCGA Response on Code of Practice White Paper
Executive Summary of What We Heard and Next Steps – From Responsible Grains Website
MCGA’s Response to Responsible Grain Code of Practice Consultation
Canola Consultation – What We Heard Report – Submitted by Canadian Canola Growers Association
Responsible Grain Code of Practice: MCGA Position
Advocacy Partner
Plant Breeding Innovation |
Background
Health Canada was seeking feedback on two new pieces of guidance for the Novel Food Regulations, focused on plant breeding. Their intent is to ensure the guidance provides greater clarity, predictability and transparency regarding the regulation of novel foods derived from plants, including those developed using gene editing technologies; and provides an efficient and predictable pathway to commercialization for new products. Advancing the proposed Health Canada Guidance is important to ensure an enabling environment for research and to secure farmers’ competitiveness internationally. This is not a regulatory change, but guidance on how the definition of “novel” will be interpreted. Health Canada’s recognition that gene editing is different than genetic modification and that it poses similar risks as conventional breeding better aligns Canada with major oilseed producers and provides important certainty to researchers, as well as companies looking to bring new innovation to Canada. Getting the approach to gene-editing right is particularly critical given canola’s past experience with biotech approvals.
MCGA’s Stance
MCGA recognizes that canola farmers are deeply dependent on seed innovation and technology to increase resource efficiency, maximize productivity per unit of land, and continue to reduce their impact on the environment. Continued innovation that can be introduced quickly, cost-effectively, and with acceptance across all key markets, is critically important to continue the success of the canola sector in Canada.
Modernizing Canada’s regulatory approach for plant breeding by improving guidance and clarity for product developers would be of direct benefit to canola farmers by:
MCGA Submission-Novel Foods Regulation: May 21, 2021
Consultation: Proposed new guidance for Novel Food Regulations focused on plant breeding
Advocacy Partner
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