“As I look back on the past year, one of the biggest impacts we had was boldly representing canola farmers in the trade disruption with China and working for a return to a more normal trade environment with our top seed export market. What makes that kind of impact possible is CCGA’s ability to speak as one national voice for canola farmers, ensuring the farmer voice is heard in Ottawa. Even while responding to a major trade crisis, we kept a steady pulse on other policies and issues that matter to Canadian canola farmers.”

– Andre Harpe

Chair and farmer from Valhalla Centre, Alberta

“At CCGA, our purpose is simple: to help farmers succeed. We live and breathe that every day. Throughout the past year, that purpose was put into action as we worked to represent farmers’ interests through incredible challenges, including the impacts of China’s market closure and the resulting changes to the Advance Payments Program.  

Our ability to influence policy and create impact comes from understanding farmers’ priorities, working collaboratively with industry and government, and ensuring the farmer voice is heard. I am very proud of the dedication, passion, and resilience our staff demonstrated through a challenging year. Our farmer-led board of directors continues to provide the grassroots perspective and strategic direction that helps guide our work, while our industry partnerships help us maximize our impact for farmers. Together, we continue to tackle the challenges farmers face today while working toward a better future for Canadian canola farmers.”

– Rick White

President & CEO

More than 80% of Canadian canola is exported, making reliable access to global markets essential. Throughout 2025-26, CCGA worked to protect market access, support continued trade with Canada’s two largest export markets, China and the U.S., and advocate for solutions that support Canadian canola farmers.  

Trade with China

China is one of Canada’s most important markets for canola. In 2024, China launched two separate investigations affecting Canadian canola: an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola seed and an anti-discrimination investigation that resulted in 100% tariffs on canola oil and meal.  

China’s anti-dumping investigation into Canadian canola seed continued into 2025, and in August, trade prohibitive duties were announced. This meant Canadian farmers lost their largest seed export market, resulting in significant impact to prices just as harvest of a record sized crop began. 

Throughout the investigation, CCGA participated directly in China’s anti-dumping proceedings and worked with decision-makers to advocate for a political solution to trade barriers and tariffs affecting the sector. CCGA also worked with the Canola Council of Canada (CCC) to emphasize that restoring market access remained the priority, while advocating for meaningful support for farmers should long-term impacts be felt at the farm gate.  

In January 2026, Canada and China announced an agreement that came into effect in March, reducing tariffs on canola seed to a combined rate of 14.9% and removing tariffs on canola meal until the end of 2026; the 100% tariff on oil remained in place. While the final decision still places Canadian canola at a competitive disadvantage, it significantly improves market access compared to the preliminary ruling and restores opportunities for Canadian canola trade with China. 

Trade with U.S.

Trade uncertainty with the U.S. was another significant focus throughout the year. The U.S. is Canada’s largest export market for canola oil and meal, with exports of seed, oil and meal valued at $5.7 billion in 2025. 

CCGA advocated for the continued tariff-free access of Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)-compliant goods while supporting the timely renewal of the agreement. Through collaboration with industry partners and government, CCGA focused on reinforcing the importance of predictable, rules-based trade for Canadian canola farmers. 

Trade challenges remain, and CCGA continues to work with government and industry partners such as Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) and others to strengthen market access and promote market growth and diversification for Canadian canola. 

Reliable transportation infrastructure is essential to moving canola to domestic and international markets and maintaining Canada’s reputation as a dependable supplier. When transportation is disrupted, costs increase, sales opportunities are lost, and the impacts are ultimately felt at the farm gate. Following the rail disruptions in 2024, CCGA examined the economic impacts of supply chain labour disruptions on Canada’s grain industry and advocated for impactful solutions.

CCGA co-led a Crop Logistics Working Group-commissioned study examining the financial impacts of labour stoppages on the grain sector. The report found that a week-long disruption of the two major railways is estimated to cost the industry more than $507 million. The study also found that rail disruptions have a greater impact than port disruptions, and that significant damage occurs in the period leading up to the work stoppage and the time it takes for the supply chain to return to normal. 

The findings informed the Too Much on the Line awareness campaign, highlighting two key labour policy positions that could help to significantly reduce the incidence and impact of future labour stoppages. Building on this work, CCGA met with government officials, participated in consultations to modernize the Canada Labour Code and led an industry submission focused on strengthening the collective bargaining process. 

CCGA will continue to engage in labour policy reform through consultations and direct advocacy with government while working to advance policies that strengthen Canada’s transportation system and improve supply chain reliability for Canadian canola farmers.  

Farmers face uncontrollable risks that can impact production, price, and payment of their crops. Throughout the year, CCGA continued to advocate for BRM programs that are predictable, timely, and responsive to farmers’ needs.

In 2019, CCGA partnered with MNP to develop model farms for the Prairie provinces to provide research and data to guide CCGA’s recommendations on improving BRM programs. Since then, model farms for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario have been developed along with an average prairie model farm.

These model farms allow CCGA to analyze proposed changes to BRM programming. They also enhance CCGA’s understanding of the makeup on canola farms, including income and expenses and how production changes impact farmers’ bottom lines. This provides CCGA with a unique ability to assess how policy and program design affects farmers and develop informed recommendations.

CCGA engaged with farm groups across the agriculture industry to identify key priorities for AAFC’s Next Policy Framework (NPF). The NPF will guide agricultural programming from 2028 to 2033. CCGA helped coordinate an industry position in an effort to help government understand what’s needed for future success. CCGA also submitted its own, more detailed submission, emphasizing the need to preserve BRM programming and associated funding across the suite of programs to support farmer competitiveness and resilience.

This work will continue in the coming year as CCGA engages in conversations to ensure BRM programs are recognized and maintained as foundational to farm resilience.

Effective advocacy starts with having a seat at the table. Throughout 2025-26, CCGA maintained a strong presence in Ottawa, bringing the perspectives of Canadian canola farmers directly to Parliamentarians, legislators and government officials.

Through policy development, participation in government consultations and direct engagement with elected decision-makers and government officials, CCGA worked to ensure farmers’ perspectives were reflected in federal policy discussions, law-making, and regulatory processes that affect the competitiveness and profitability of Canadian canola farms.

Following the 2025 federal election, CCGA engaged with new and returning Parliamentarians to share the canola industry’s economic impact and highlight canola farmers’ current top priorities outlined in our Canola: Canadian Roots, Global Impact brochure.

Throughout the year, CCGA met with the Prime Minister, relevant ministers and other senior government officials to discuss the impacts of tariffs and trade on Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sectors while advocating for practical, farmer-focused solutions across other key policy areas.

CCGA also held its annual joint Lobby Day with the CCC in November, bringing together CCGA representatives for 23 meetings with key Parliamentarians and senior government officials, including the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Discussions focused on international trade, market access, and biofuels.

“When important decisions affecting canola farmers are being made, CCGA works to ensure farmers’ voices are heard. By bringing their voices into those conversations, we can help shape policies that support the long-term success of Canada’s canola farmers.”

– Cheryl Mayer

Vice-President, Policy Development/Acting Vice-President, Government & Industry Relations