March 5, 2020 – At the Canola Council of Canada’s (CCC) Annual General Meeting earlier today, president Jim Everson presented the 2019 annual report: Partnership with Purpose. Everson reviewed the most pressing issues the canola industry faced in 2019 and the continued focus on market access, agronomic challenges and regulatory risk moving forward in 2020.
“While 2019 was a very challenging year, it really showed the value of having a clear purpose and strong partnership through the entire industry,” said Everson. “The challenges continue, but let’s not lose sight of the strengths of the Canadian canola sector.”
In his presentation, Everson noted:
- We are a key driver of economic growth for Canada and the leading producer of a healthy, high quality oil and protein that’s increasingly in demand around the world;
- Our growers are the best in the world, quick to adopt new technologies and practices to remain competitive. And, investing continually in research and in the Canola Council to advance the sector;
- Our value chain is made up of companies with global reach and strong investment in infrastructure and innovations that will continue to keep Canadian canola competitive;
- Processors have invested $2 billion in new and upgraded facilities in the last decade, adding value and quality jobs, and in 2019 set a new record for domestic processing of canola;
- In the last three years, grain companies have invested another $2 billion in port terminal and country elevator expansion and have more than doubled capacity turnover rates over the last decade;
- Our life science companies are re-investing 10 per cent of gross sales into R&D to provide growers with innovative products;
- And we have more than 50 years of experience coming together as an industry to deal with the challenges in front of us and seize the opportunities ahead.
The CCC’s AGM was held as part of the Canadian Crops Convention in Vancouver. The event also included Chair Charlene Bradley welcoming three new members to the CCC board of directors for 2020/21.
New to the CCC board of directors are:
- Jeff Pleskach, Cargill Ltd., nominated by the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association
- John Sandborn, nominated by the Manitoba Canola Growers
- Trevor Veenendaal, G3, nominated by the Western Grain Elevator Association
“On behalf of the board, I’d like to thank our outgoing board members Brian Conn, Rick Knightly and Curtis McRae, for their contributions to our industry,” says Bradley. “We also warmly welcome three new directors as we continue to build upon the CCC’s unique strength of uniting the entire value chain to create sustainable growth.”
To provide a strong voice for all segments of the industry, CCC directors are nominated by organizations representing growers, processors and exporters, as well as life science companies.
2020/21 CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nominated by the canola growers associations:
- Charlene Bradley, SaskCanola
- Gerry Hertz, Canadian Canola Growers Association
- John Sandborn, Manitoba Canola Growers
- Kevin Serfas, Alberta Canola
Nominated by the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association:
- Michael Irons, Archer Daniels Midland Company
- Ryan Law, Bunge
- Tracy Lussier, Louis Dreyfus Company
- Jeff Pleskach, Cargill Ltd.
Nominated by the Western Grain Elevator Association:
- Jarrett Beatty, Parrish & Heimbecker
- Jennifer Marchand, Cargill Ltd.
- Dean McQueen, Viterra
- Trevor Veenendaal, G3
Nominated by life science companies:
- Garth Hodges, BASF
- David Kelner, Bayer
- Brad Orr, Corteva Agriscience
The Canola Council of Canada is a full value chain organization representing canola growers, processors, life science companies and exporters. Keep it Coming 2025 is the strategic plan to ensure the canola industry’s continued growth, demand, stability and success – achieving 52 bushels per acre to meet global market demand of 26 million metric tonnes by the year 2025.
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Media may contact:
Heidi Dancho
Director, Communications
(204) 982-2108
danchoh@canolacouncil.org
