Current Issues

Policy issues we're currently working on

As the national policy voice for Canada’s 40,000 canola farmers, CCGA enhances farm competitiveness by conducting in-depth policy analysis and advocating for policy, regulatory, and legislative changes that impact farm profitability. 

While our advocacy efforts cover five broad policy areas, here are the current issues that require our immediate focus and attention:

1.  Trade with the U.S.

Updated April 10, 2025

Since his inauguration, President Trump has signed various executive orders via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs on Canadian goods exported to the U.S. On April 2, the President imposed tariffs on countries at varying amounts and a global  10% tariff imposed on all imported goods to the U.S. At this point, we see a continuation of the order from March 6, deeming Canada U.S. Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) compliant goods exempt from tariffs. Canola seed, oil, and meal are all trading tariff-free to the U.S. While the threat of immediate tariffs on canola seed, oil and meal has been reduced, the risk and uncertainty of tariffs has not been eliminated.

Mutually Beneficial Trade Relationship

The North American canola industry is highly integrated and benefits the entire canola value chain on both sides of the border. In fact, the U.S. is Canada’s leading market for canola, valued at $7.7 billion in 2024 and is the top export destination for canola oil and meal. In the U.S., the Canadian canola industry contributes $11.2 billion USD in economic activity and supports 22,000 U.S. jobs, totalling $1.2 billion USD in wages.

Canada and the U.S. both benefit from free and open trade between our two countries.  

Given the importance of the U.S. market for Canadian canola, increased protectionism, the threat of tariffs, and a Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement review set to occur in 2026, CCGA is prioritizing building new and leveraging existing critical trade relations to maintain our market presence in the U.S. One example is our recent attendance at SARL. 

2.  Trade with China

Updated April 2025

China’s Anti-discriminatory Investigation 

On March 8, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced the outcome of its anti-discrimination investigation initiated against Canada in September 2024 in response to tariffs being placed on Chinese electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. Effective March 20, China’s State Council Tariff Commission imposed a 100 percent tariff rate on Canadian canola oil and meal along with several other Canadian agricultural commodities.

While China is our largest   seed market, it is also the second most important canola meal market, with 2.0 MMT valued at $918 million in 2024. China has also become an important market for canola oil exports in recent years.  In 2024, canola oil exports were relatively low at 15,351 MT, but they have reached as high as 1.1 MMT in 2020.

China’s tariffs on oil and meal will be detrimental to trade and will be felt by farmers when marketing grain and making crop decisions. Farmers remain concerned with China’s ongoing anti-dumping investigation into canola seed as well as potential tariffs on products going to the U.S. Never before have canola farmers felt such uncertainty with our two most important trading partners.

The Canadian government has announced proposed changes to the AgriStability program, however CCGA’s position is that ad hoc BRM program changes are not the appropriate mechanism to compensate farmers for this type of trade injury. A standalone federal program should be established to provide direct financial compensation to canola farmers commensurate with the losses that will be incurred.

CCGA continues to work closely with the Government of Canada and other industry partners as additional details are released. CCGA strongly urges the Canadian government to immediately engage in meaningful dialogue with China in an effort to resolve this trade disagreement.


China’s Anti-dumping Investigation 

Updated April 2025

In September, MOFCOM initiated an anti-dumping investigation regarding Canadian canola seed. CCGA is a registered participant in the investigation, providing an aggregate perspective of canola farming in Canada. We continue to monitor all aspects of the situation closely and are in regular contact with fellow stakeholders and government to highlight the importance of stable market access for canola farmers. 

This page will be updated as new information becomes available.   

Frequently Asked Questions:

3. Federal Election

On April 28, a federal election was held, resulting in a large minority Liberal government.

During the election period, CCGA shared a roadmap of five important steps this government can take to secure canola farmers’ competitiveness.

CCGA looks forward to working with all Parliamentarians to advance these priorities and support the success of Canadian canola growers and the rural communities they support. All Members of Parliament and Senators will receive our Canola: Growing for Canada brochure, which further explains priorities that will help build Canadian canola farmer innovation and competitiveness.

Parliament Building

4. Capital Gains Tax Increase

On March 21, 2025, the Government of Canada announced that it does not intend to proceed with the proposed increase to the capital gains inclusion rate of two-thirds.

The Canada Revenue Agency is currently administering the enacted capital gains inclusion rate of one-half. The previously announced increase to the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE) to $1.25 million remains in place for qualified small business corporation shares and qualified farm or fishing property for dispositions that occur after June 24, 2024. CCGA will engage with the government and monitor forthcoming legislation on the LCGE to ensure these changes are solidified. More information can be found here.

CCGA was among the first agricultural groups to advocate against this tax increase when it was introduced in Budget 2024, as it is estimated to cost family-run grain farms 30% more in taxes when selling their land, according to the Grain Growers of Canada. 

Capital Gains campaign image