OTTAWA, April 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada's grain industry is known around the world for its quality, safety and consistency. In his address to members of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) at their Annual Convention on March 15, Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, stated that lowering user fees was a priority and that the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) was consulting with industry to find ways to save money for growers.
Today, the Minister welcomed the CGC's proposal to reduce fees for official grain inspection and official grain weighing services effective August 1, 2017. Supplementary fees for overtime related to official grain inspection services would also be eliminated.
The reduced fees would result in a 24% decrease in fees, or estimated savings of approximately $10 million, for the 2017 to 2018 fiscal year.
Quotes
"One of the results of the tremendous production we've seen in Western Canada over the past few years has been higher revenues at the Canadian Grain Commission. As a result, I committed to our stakeholders to look at ways to lower its user fees. Today's announcement is an important step to putting more money in the pockets of our farmers, helping to grow the economy and strengthen the middle class."
- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Quick Facts
- On March 1, 2017, the Canadian Grain Commission launched consultations on proposed changes to its user fees and began a discussion about potential uses of surplus funds.
- The proposed changes would limit further accumulation of surplus revenue in the Canadian Grain Commission revolving fund. The proposed changes were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on April 22, 2017. Stakeholders have until May 22, 2017 to comment on the proposed changes.
- The Canadian Grain Commission is the federal agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada's grain quality standards. Its programs result in shipments of grain that consistently meet contract specifications for quality, safety and quantity. It regulates the grain industry to protect producers' rights and ensure the integrity of grain transactions in Canada.
Associated Links
- Proposed user fee updates in the Canada Gazette, Part I
- User Fees Consultation and Pre-proposal Notification
- Potential use of accumulated surplus
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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Guy Gallant, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, 613-773-1059; Media Relations, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 613-773-7972, 1-866-345-7972
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