Connecting the Farm Gate to Parliament Hill

The parliamentary summer recess left many questions unresolved as issues of trade, taxation and economic competitiveness took centre stage. While Ottawa was quiet, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) was active in the field, using the summer months to connect directly with producers and show policymakers the real-world impact of federal decisions on grain farming.

In August, we travelled from Manitoba through Saskatchewan and into Alberta on the annual GGC Summer Tour. Over five days and over 2,000 kilometres, the tour provided an opportunity to walk fields, see crop conditions firsthand and visit the operations of directors and members. Each stop highlighted both the diversity and the shared challenges of grain farming, from crop rotations and new varieties to high input costs, weather extremes and market volatility.

The tour also created a platform to connect with local Members of Parliament and the media. MP Colin Reynolds joined us near Steinbach. MB, for a tour of Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA) delegate Korey Peters’ farm. This was followed by a tour of MCA and GGC vice-chair Sally Parsonage’s operation with a reporter from Reuters. In Saskatchewan, MP Cathay Wagantall met producers near Churchbridge, while MP Fraser Tolmie toured a farm near Davidson. In Alberta, additional tours were hosted in Killam and Smoky Lake. These conversations reinforced the importance of grounding policy debates in the realities faced by farmers.

The tour brought into focus the issues that will shape the fall: current volatility in Canada’s key trade relationships, trade-enabling infrastructure at capacity and taxation uncertainty. These challenges mirror the concerns producers have been raising for months and will define the policy debates as Parliament reconvenes.

Trade remains central to Canadian agriculture. More than 70 per cent of Canadian grain is exported, making access to markets essential for farm incomes and rural communities. Yet, access to certain markets is getting increasingly difficult. The 2026 CUSMA review raises questions about the future of tariff-free trade with the United States, while tensions with China continue to restrict opportunities for Canadian products. With $45 billion in exports at stake, we will continue to push for policies that defend existing access and open new markets.