March 8, 2018 – At the Canola Council of Canada’s (CCC) Annual General Meeting earlier today, CCC president Jim Everson outlined the process to confirm industry priorities and the organization’s role in the sustainable growth and profitability of the sector. Driven by the continual evolvement of the canola industry as well as the companies and organizations serving Canadian agriculture, the Priorities Review process will ensure that the CCC’s work plan and budget for 2019 and beyond fully aligns with changing industry needs.
“Whether it’s in response to factors such as changing cropping patterns in Western Canada, margin pressures facing all links in the value chain or numerous mergers and acquisitions, the economic landscape is changing,” says David Dzisiak, chair of the CCC. “Underscoring this evolution is a need to use resources wisely while working on the most important issues for the canola industry and for Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector.”
As the Canola Council exists to serve all aspects of the canola industry, the board is leading a comprehensive process to focus on the Council’s role in ensuring the industry’s continued success.
“The challenges faced by the Canadian canola industry are always evolving, but one thing that remains constant is the power of the full value chain working toward strategic goals,” says Everson. “We look forward to the ongoing enthusiasm for positive change and the board’s leadership on this comprehensive review to move the industry forward as a united value chain.”
As part of the Priorities Review, the board has established five task groups to focus on the short and long-term opportunities for growth in the canola sector and review the threats to achieving this growth. Each group is led by board directors and includes representatives from across the value chain. The areas of focus are: market access and government advocacy, market development, crop production and innovation, industry leadership, and finance. To learn more, read the Priorities Review backgrounder.
Each of the task groups will be establishing mechanisms for canola industry outreach throughout the process. In the meantime, CCC members and stakeholders are welcome to provide comments at prioritiesreview@canolacouncil.org.
Also at the AGM, Dzisiak welcomed two new members to the Board of Directors for 2018/19. New to the CCC board are:
- Curtis McRae of Manitoba Canola Growers Association, nominated by the canola grower associations
- Tracy Lussier of Louis Dreyfus Canada Limited, nominated by the Western Grain Elevator Association
To provide a strong voice for all segments of the industry, CCC directors are nominated by organizations representing growers, processors, exporters and life science companies.
“On behalf of the board, I want to thank our outgoing board member Brian Chorney from the Manitoba Canola Growers Association for all he has done for our industry and the Keep it Coming 2025 strategy,” says Dzisiak. “We look forward to working with our new directors as we advance towards our goals with a continued focus on partnership and innovation.”
The AGM also included the launch of the CCC’s 2017 annual report: Fifty years of firsts.
2018/19 CANOLA COUNCIL OF CANADA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nominated by the canola grower associations:
- Charlene Bradley, SaskCanola
- Curtis McRae, Manitoba Canola Growers
- Gerry Hertz, Canadian Canola Growers Association
- Kevin Serfas, Alberta Canola
Nominated by the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association:
- Brett Caplice, Bunge Canada
- Brian Conn, Louis Dreyfus Company
- Michael Irons, Archer Daniels Midland Company
- Jennifer Marchand, Cargill Ltd.
Nominated by the Western Grain Elevator Association:
- Jarrett Beatty, Parrish & Heimbecker
- Rick Knightly, Cargill Ltd.
- Tracy Lussier, Louis Dreyfus Company
- Dean McQueen, Viterra
Nominated by life science companies:
- Neil Arbuckle, Monsanto Canada
- David Dzisiak, Dow AgroSciences
- Paul Thiel, Bayer CropScience
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. Visit canolacouncil.org to learn more.
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Media may contact:
Heidi Dancho, Director, Communications
204-227-5731
danchoh@canolacouncil.org
