OTTAWA — The federal government is continuing its overhaul of rules governing the grain sector with legislation aimed at ensuring producers get paid for their crops and to allow for the testing of grain in Eastern Canada.
The Modernization of Canada's Grain Industry Act was introduced today in the House of Commons.
It would allow the Canadian Grain Commission to establish a compensation fund to protect producers if licensed grain dealers or elevator operators fail to pay for grain deliveries.
The commission would have the power to determine the quality of grain delivered to elevators, grain dealers and container-loading elevators.
The mandate of the commission is also to change from acting in the interest of producers to acting for the entire grain sector and all Canadians to clarify that it is an unbiased regulator.
Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says these changes will help modernize a sector that generated about $23 billion last year in grain and oilseed farm cash receipts.
