Picketers with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) on strike at Gatineau, Que. on April 20, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Blair Gable)

PSAC federal worker strike could hit at grain transport

Prolonged strike could cause grain shipment delays, lead to demurrage costs

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) strike is drawing fire from Canadian agricultural commodity groups — mostly concerned with how grain transportation could be disrupted. The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association issued a strongly worded press release on Tuesday after striking picketers targeted Vancouver’s Cascadia grain terminal, co-owned by Viterra and Richardson International. “A […] Read more

File photo of a federal office building in downtown Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Some 155,000 federal public workers on strike over pay dispute

Some AAFC, CGC work to be affected

Ottawa | Reuters — More than 155,000 public sector workers in Canada began a strike Wednesday after failing to reach a wage deal with the federal government by a Tuesday night deadline, in action that will affect tax filings and passport services during peak demand. The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union said contract […] Read more


A nameplate outside the Canadian Grain Commission building in downtown Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

CGC, other fed workers to strike Tuesday night if no wage deal reached

Tax season, passport renewals may also be affected

Ottawa | Reuters — Some 155,000 public workers in Canada will go on strike at midnight on Wednesday if they are unable to reach a wage deal with the federal government, the leader of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) union said on Monday. PSAC president Chris Aylward said he was “setting a clock […] Read more

(Screengrab from Merit Functional Foods video via YouTube)

Bidding open for Merit Foods for two more weeks

Stakeholder Burcon plans to put up 'compelling bid'

The fate of Winnipeg pea- and canola-based protein processor Merit Functional Foods won’t be confirmed until the end of April at the earliest. Merit, whose major shareholders include Vancouver plant-based protein firm Burcon NutraScience, U.S. agrifood firm Bunge and former executives of Hemp Oil Canada, was placed into receivership March 1. According to the first […] Read more


Wheat being loaded onto a cargo ship in Vancouver in 2011. (File photo: Reuters/Ben Nelms)

China top destination for Canadian grains, oilseeds

CGC data points to key destinations

MarketsFarm — China is the top destination for Canadian grain and oilseed exports through the first five months of the 2022-23 marketing year, accounting for roughly a third of the total movement, according to the latest monthly report from the Canadian Grain Commission. Canada has exported 6.566 million tonnes of grains, oilseeds, and pulses to […] Read more

Top quality wheat crop this year

Top quality wheat crop this year

Reading Time: < 1 minute A high proportion of this year’s wheat crop is of “excellent quality,” falling into the top two grades, with high protein content across all Canadian wheat classes, says Cereals Canada and the Canadian Grain Commission. The New Wheat Crop Report says more than 90 per cent of both Canada Western Red Spring and Canada Prairie […] Read more


Cadmium reduction efforts in durum pay off

Cadmium reduction efforts in durum pay off

Reading Time: < 1 minute The work to reduce cadmium levels in Canada Western Amber Durum has paid dividends, new research by the Canadian Grain Commission has found. “The more than two-fold decrease in cadmium concentrations observed in CWAD bulk exports during the past three decades demonstrates that the breeding programs, cultivar registration requirements in the Canadian registration system, plus […] Read more



Selling to an unlicensed grain buyer

Selling to an unlicensed grain buyer

Reading Time: < 1 minute There are factors to consider before selling to an unlicensed grain buyer if you have production insurance, says Alberta Financial Services Corp. The provincial crop insurer says it will only accept “receipted grade” on sales from buyers who have a primary elevator or a terminal elevator licence from the Canadian Grain Commission. Before selling to […] Read more

A nameplate outside the Canadian Grain Commission building in downtown Winnipeg. (Dave Bedard photo)

Farmers get week to dispute grain grade, dockage

Window widened following consultations

Prairie farmers who want to dispute a grain elevator’s call on their grain’s grade and dockage now officially have up to a week to do so. The Canadian Grain Commission on Oct. 3 announced amendments to the Canada Grain Regulations are now in effect allowing grain growers more time — seven calendar days, to be […] Read more