Grain growers from across the country are blitzing Ottawa this week to celebrate the inaugural National Grain Week from April 17 to 19.
In particular they’re promoting the ways farmers are using innovation to meet the federal government’s stated goal of increasing agri-food exports to $75 billion by 2025, event organizer Grain Growers of Canada says.
“There is a lot to celebrate about being a grain farmer right now,” said GGC president, Jeff Nielsen, of Olds, Alta. “An ambitious trade agenda, investments in science and innovation and the Canadian Agriculture Partnership show that the government understands that agriculture is made up of hard-working middle-class Canadians and is a key sector for growth, benefiting the economy as a whole.”
Budget 2017 set out an ambitious goal of reaching $75 billion in agri-food exports that can only be achieved if farmers and government work together, the group said.
“Concrete steps taken to date, most recently through Canada signing on to the CPTPP, show that the government is serious about helping farmers meet this goal,” the release read.
GGC also noted progress in other areas, including revisions to the small-business corporate tax proposals, funding to increase exports to Asia in Budget 2018 and the introduction of long-awaited Transportation Modernization Act (Bill C-49).
“Bringing the rural, middle- class voices of grain farmers to Ottawa to interact directly with government is crucial to ensuring that we continue to harness the current momentum,” Nielsen said. “We look forward to working with all partners in Ottawa to deliver on grain grower priorities such as getting the amended Bill C-49 passed by the House of Commons as quickly as possible.”
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