Grain Growers ask Carney government to act quickly on farming issues

Grain Growers of Canada is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s new government to move swiftly on key issues impacting Canadian grain farmers, warning that producers are facing mounting challenges.

“The stakes of this election could not have been higher for grain farmers,” said Kyle Larkin, executive director of the Grain Growers of Canada. “From rising input costs and global market uncertainty to transportation bottlenecks and regulatory pressures, producers are facing a growing list of challenges that require immediate federal attention.”

The group is asking the government to reverse the capital gains tax increase, permanently eliminate the carbon tax on on-farm activities, and resolve ongoing trade disputes with the United States and China.

“The capital gains tax increase and the carbon tax are not abstract issues for farmers,” said Tara Sawyer, chair of the Grain Growers and a grain farmer from Acme, AB. “They directly impact whether we can spend on new equipment, transfer the farm to the next generation, and continue contributing to the economy. We need immediate action to support the continued viability of family-run grain farms.”

During the election campaign, the Grain Growers launched a “Vote for Grain” initiative that generated hundreds of letters to political candidates across Canada. The campaign urged the new government to spend on trade-enabling infrastructure, modernize regulations, improve transportation systems, support plant breeding innovation, and defend access to global markets through rules-based trade.

“Grain farmers are ready to be an equal partner with government in growing Canada’s economy,” said Larkin. “We look forward to working with Prime Minister Mark Carney and all Members of Parliament in addressing short-term challenges and creating long-term policies that support family farms across Canada.”