Grain Growers of Canada : welcomes appointment of Patti Miller to the Canadian Grain Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 4, 2017

Grain Growers of Canada welcomes appointment of Patti Miller to the Canadian Grain Commission

Strong agriculture background provides comfort for farmers

OTTAWA (January 4, 2017) - Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is pleased to welcome the appointment of Patti Miller as chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC), beginning on Feb. 13, 2017.

350 Sparks Street,

Suite 912 Ottawa, ON K1R7S8

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[e-mail] www.ggc-pgc.ca

GGC Members:

Atlantic Grains Council

Alberta Barley Commission

Alberta Pulse Growers

Alberta Wheat Commission

British Columbia Grain Producers Association

Canadian Canola Growers Association

Canadian Young Farmers Forum

Manitoba Corn Growers Association

Manitoba Pulse Growers Association

Prairie Oat Growers Association

Western Barley Growers Association

Western Canadian Wheat Growers Assoc.

Ms. Miller has a diverse background in grain agriculture, having most recently served as president of the Canola Council of Canada, as well as high-ranking positions at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and with grain companies. She possesses strong experience in marketing and has participated in many international trade missions, promoting Canadian grain around the world.

"Patti is highly respected across the agriculture and agri-food industry", said Jeff Nielsen, GGC President. "Her extensive experience and strong understanding of the needs of farmers helps provide some reassurance that the Commission will remain a reliable organization during this time of transition."

Ms. Miller's appointment fills only one of three commissioner vacancies at the CGC which have been open since last year. The organization plays an important role for farmers and is relied upon for grading, marketing, and licencing, among other services.

Proposed modernizations to the Canada Grain Act, which provides the CGC's mandate, were included in a recent Bill that died on the Order Table when the 2015 election was called. These changes, in addition to the completion of commissioner appointments, were long overdue and would have helped create a Commission that will serve farmers far into the future. The CGC's Mandate Letter from Minister Lawrence MacAulay includes instructions to complete the updates to the Act and to ensure that the Canada Grain Regulations meet the needs of the sector.

"We urge Minister MacAulay to push to fill the remaining two vacancies as early as possible, before the next crop year," continued Mr. Nielsen. "It is going to be particularly important that we have a strong CGC when the Next Agricultural Policy Framework is put into place in 2018. We look forward to working closely with Patti when she takes on her new role in February."

The Grain Growers of Canada provides a strong national voice for over 50,000 active and successful grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 12 provincial and regional grower groups. Its mission and mandate are to pursue a policy environment that maximizes global competitiveness and to influence federal policy on behalf of independent Canadian grain farmers and their associations.

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For more information:

Lindsey Ehman

Public Affairs Manager (O): 613-233-9954 ext. 202

(C): 613-222-2726

(E): [e-mail]