Only sixty-six responses were received by Agriculture Canada’s 2021 Canada Grain Act Review request for submissions. Ag Canada didn’t post these briefs so it’s impossible to know how many came from producers, but given the number of grain handlers and farm organizations, it’s a safe bet there were no more than 30 from the tens of thousands of farmers in Western Canada. That’s sparse comment from a farm clientele that’s habitually unhappy about elevator grading and dockage.
Stories by Bruce Dodds
CGC must refocus on primary elevator
Created in 1912, the Canada Grain Act was largely a response to farmers’ demands for equitable grading, dockage and weights. The resulting system — producer safeguards from country elevators to port — was for many years comprehensive. At primary elevators the Canadian Grain Commission certified weigh scales, provided Subject to Inspectors Grade and Dockage (STIGAD) […] Read more
CGC must improve dispute resolution
Recently announced improvements to the Canada Grain Act’s subject to inspector’s grade and dockage (STIGAD) dispute resolution mechanism are a good thing. New provisions extending time limits and access, even deliveries by third parties, and clarifying sample rules are to be welcomed but they’re no panacea. The same goes for any other modest improvements that […] Read more
Restore grain commission’s relevance
Media discussion in the run–up to the current Canada Grain Act review has focused on two issues: cost of Canadian Grain Commission operations and alleged duplication of services as grain companies push to replace independent CGC inspection with third-party inspectors. Cost and efficiency are important, and concern would be warranted if justified by the facts, […] Read more
Who wins in the dual marketing duel? – Opinion
Dodds writes from North Augusta, Ont., and obtained the Jarvis quotes from the book From Prairie Roots by Garry Fairbairn. Former chief commissioner of the Canadian Wheat Board, Esmond Jarvis, summed up the fallacy of dual marketing of grain 25 years ago at a speech to Saskatchewan Wheat Pool members in Saskatoon. Jarvis’s comments should […] Read more
