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.
Your feedback is important us. If you have any questions or comments please email us at info@nullcanolagrowers.com.
The Canadian canola sector faces ongoing uncertainty in the rapidly changing tariff situation in the U.S. Since the brief introduction of tariffs in March, announcements of on-again off-again tariffs continue to roll out of Washington.
Ahead of calling a federal election, the Government of Canada announced that they are providing relief to Canadian workers and businesses with access to new lending options through Farm Credit Canada, and an increase in the interest-free portion of the Advanced Payments Program from $100,000 to $250,000. The canola sector is turning its focus to compensation for damages farmers are facing from trade turmoil, recognizing that lending is a short term solution that will not help farmers will the full effect of these trade disruptions.
MCGA has spent months working with our lobbying partners and government to get through to the U.S. the vital importance of free trade and the devastating impact of U.S. tariffs to both our countries, particularly on canola. We are disappointed that the U.S. is creating unjustified volatility and uncertainty with the ongoing threat of tariffs, and MCGA will continue to support a strong and unified voice through our national canola farmer representatives at Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) and our national value chain representatives at Canola Council of Canada (CCC) to return to predictable and consistent trade that benefits both countries. We will also stay engaged provincially with the Manitoba Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Department; Manitoba Agriculture; and Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP).
The U.S. is the number one market for canola and canola products from Canada. Farmers are affected by these ongoing tariff threats from the price they receive for grain and their ability to sell it when they need to, down to the costs for the fuel and inputs they need to produce this year’s crop.
MCGA will continue to take our members’ reactions, concerns and needs forward as our trade-focused partners lobby for a consistent and predictable trade environment. Member input is welcome at info@nullcanolagrowers.com as this rapidly evolving situation continues to unfold.
Farm businesses that have questions or would like to provide feedback can also voice their concerns directly to the Manitoba Government through the Tariff Hotline at 1-877-827-4330 (toll-free) or 204-945-8011; the general line at 204-945-3744 or visit: https://manitoba.ca/tariffresponse/.
In March, China applied 100% tariffs on canola oil and meal as a result of an anti-discrimination investigation that was launched in response to Canada’s tariffs on electric vehicles from China. China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) also continues an anti-dumping investigation on Canadian canola seed, the outcome of which is still pending.
Manitoba Canola Growers Association (MCGA) continues 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, actively advocating for farmers for a stable end market for canola and canola products, with stable and ready ability to sell and transport their canola to manage farm expenses. The canola sector is also discussing compensation for farmers given the impact these tariffs are already having on canola prices and export volumes.
We continue to actively support CCGA as the lead registered participant in the anti-dumping investigation on behalf of canola farmers. We are also supporting CCC as they work to restore market access and stability, and seek government support for the damages caused by trade action.
To guide the actions and position of MCGA during the numerous meetings on tariffs and trade, we are providing regular confidential updates to our board of directors. We are committed to providing regular updates to our membership as 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.
Beginning with the announcement that Bunge and Viterra were intending to merge, MCGA was actively engaged with the Competition Bureau raising MCGA farmer members’ serious concerns. The message from our members was clear that the merger would substantially lessen competition among buyers and crushers, limiting farmer choice and potentially impacting price competitiveness. Directors shared their concerns first-hand in interviews with the Competition Bureau, and MCGA forwarded investigators to multiple farm groups in Manitoba and across Canada to ensure all farmers’ concerns were 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. The results of the investigation included multiple references to the concerns raised by MCGA and its members.
Here is what we heard (click to review a summary of survey responses).
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 develop and expand biofuel markets to provide meaningful value and stable market alternatives to canola farmers in Manitoba and across Canada.
MCGA has actively participated in the many months of analysis and lobbying that CCGA, CCC and COPA put into shaping the Clean Fuel Regulation (CFR) in Canada. While the end result was a compromise, the requirements for the Land Use and Biodiversity Criteria (LUB) was dramatically improved by the lobbying efforts of our partners. The CFR is currently in force, and more information is available at www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-pollution/energy-production/fuel-regulations/clean-fuel-regulations.
MCGA also supports CCC and COPA’s ongoing work to secure a stable trade pathway for Canadian canola to access the U.S. biofuel market, and has met with potential investors in Manitoba seeking to grow market opportunities in Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
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. With many examples of market uncertainty in recent years, MCGA supported the industry’s renewed focus on growth of stable, domestic market options for canola. We support CCGA, CCC, and COPA’s extensive work to secure and expand biofuel markets in North America and around the world 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
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 a wide range of 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 joined stakeholders from across Manitoba in a consultation with Manitoba Agriculture to explore development of a province-wide collaborative strategy to accelerate research and innovation in the province to benefit all farmers. We also represented Manitoba canola farmers at a joint Lobby Day in Ottawa, speaking to key issues like trade, transportation and the punitive carbon pricing pressure on farmers.
Among our various consultations with decisionmakers, recent years have seen many organizations and levels of government focused on sustainability in agriculture through topics like climate change, carbon taxes, emissions targets, and other sustainability targets and tools both in Canada and abroad. MCGA has been an active participant in a multitude of consultations seeking to ensure any strategy related to canola sustainability was reflective of the realities of modern farming, as well as the goals, needs and values of our farmer members.
MCGA has engaged both directly and in collaboration with our advocacy partner organizations with groups like the federal government, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops, Field to Market Canada, Manitoba Agriculture and the Winnipeg Metro Region. In each case, MCGA carefully reviewed the proposals and provided feedback, direction or voiced concern on behalf of our members. Sustainability remains a high priority topic in the industry and MCGA continues to take an active role representing our membership.
MCGA’s Stance
Farmers are experts in caring for the land and managing businesses that last for generations. MCGA clearly recognizes the critical role canola farmers play in balancing economic sustainability goals of maximizing canola yield and profitability, while protecting the health of our natural resources to produce high-quality, reliable and affordable crops for generations to come. 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. While we acknowledge the global effort to set and achieve continuous improvement in sustainability goals, any proposed changes to agricultural production practices must be based on scientific data, utilizing a clearly established and regionally relevant baseline and understanding of the complexities of agricultural production in a collaborative effort toward continued excellence in Canadian production. MCGA continues to actively participate in ongoing consultations in this topic area.
MCGA response to SAS – March 2023
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.
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.
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.
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 Partners
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.
While the improvements announced in 2020 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 Partners
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