New CEO at Pulse Canada

Mar 12, 2021

Greg Cherewyk takes over for Gordon Bacon

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Greg Cherewyk is the new chief executive officer at Pulse Canada.

He takes over for Gordon Bacon, the organization’s first CEO, who announced his retirement after 25 years with Pulse Canada.

Cherewyk is also the organization’s president and provides management services to the Canadian Special Crops Association.

He’s been with Pulse Canada for a total of 17 years and the experience he’s gained during his tenure makes this a seamless transition, he said.

“It’s a big shift but it also feels quite natural,” he told Farms.com. “I’ve had a lot of different opportunities over the years to get exposure to different parts of the industry.”

Some Cherewyk’s roles during his tenure with Pulse Canada included working with stakeholders in Asia and acting as the organization’s director of transportation.

And transportation is at top of mind at the moment.

Negotiations between the Maritime Employers Association and Canadian Union of Public Employees have stalled. If a deal isn’t reached soon, workers at the Port of Montreal will go on strike on March 20.

Canada moves around 700,000 tonnes of pulse products through that port each year.

The federal government needs to intervene to keep the port operational so Canadian goods can flow through it, Cherewyk said.

“It’s important for our industry to have a very fluid, efficient, predictable and reliable supply chain,” he said. “I’d like to see the government use whatever tools it has in its toolkit to bring both parties to the table.”

Pulse Canada and other ag groups from across Canada have started a campaign called Stop The Strike. Users can use this website to submit a letter to Labour Minister Filomena Tassi.

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.