Quote: 272451
Mr. Doug Chorney
Chief Commissioner
Canadian Grain Commission
600–303 Main Street
Winnipeg MB R3C 3G8
Dear Mr. Chorney:
Our government recognizes the importance of a vibrant and sustainable agriculture and agri-food sector to food security as well as Canada's economy. Despite many recent challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian grain producers and the entire value chain have shown resilience and continued to operate in a particularly difficult context in order to provide high-quality products to Canadian and global markets.
Now more than ever, it is critical that Canada maximize its contribution to supplying grain to global markets in order to counteract any impacts to global security caused by the current geopolitical and global market instability. I would like to thank the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) for supporting the grain sector in responding to these challenges.
Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change remain urgent priorities for our government, and the sector must be our front-line partner to achieve our targets. In keeping with the ambitious environmental commitments outlined in our climate plan, it is increasingly important for government organizations to collaborate with partners across the grain value chain in reducing the environmental footprint of the grain sector. The CGC has a collaborative role to play in supporting broad climate resiliency, helping the sector achieve a national fertilizer emissions reduction target of 30 percent below 2020 levels and making grain supply chains more efficient, all this while finding innovative ways to add value.
In addition, in accordance with its mandate, I am asking you to provide the leadership necessary to ensure that the CGC delivers on the following priorities:
- Support the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)-led review of the Canada Grain Act as well as work related to the Agri-Food and Aquaculture Sector Regulatory Review Roadmap to identify what changes are needed to meet the needs of Canada's modern grain sector;
- Continue to identify and take action on regulatory changes and operational reforms, within the CGC's existing authority, that deliver benefits to producers and the value chain. This will be accomplished in support of the needs of the changing grain sector and in alignment with the broader AAFC-led review;
- Consider updates to the Surplus Investment Framework to ensure that accumulated surplus funds are used effectively and deliver tangible benefits to the Canadian grain value chain. These updates fall within the context of strategic measures already adopted to prevent surplus accumulation and align with the emerging path forward on the Canada Grain Act review;
- Collaborate with AAFC officials and sector stakeholders to support Canadian export growth and mitigate international market access risk and technical trade issues through innovative science while leveraging the wealth of evidence collected through grain export monitoring and analytical testing as well as harvest surveys conducted by the CGC; and
- Promote an inclusive vision for the future of the grain sector that fosters opportunities for women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented groups. Take action to improve diversity within CGC through inclusive recruitment, retention and promotion practices.
As AAFC works to advance sector-specific priorities outlined in my mandate letter, I ask that you continue to support Chris Forbes, Deputy Minister, in his role as my principal source of public service assistance and policy advice for the entire Agriculture and Agri-Food Portfolio and in ensuring its coordination. I know that I can count on you and the CGC to fulfill these priorities and that you will commit to tracking and reporting on its progress toward results for Canadians.
I assure you of my full cooperation so that together we can continue to build an innovative, sustainable and prosperous future for grain producers and the entire value chain and protect the sector's reputation for providing high-quality grain products to Canada and the world.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, PC, MP