New appointments become official on Feb. 13
By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com
Farm organizations from Manitoba and Saskatchewan say they’re looking forward to working with the newest members of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) to collaborate on issues facing the country’s grain industry.
“The current and future challenges the Grain Commission faces need to be viewed from many perspectives,” Todd Lewis, president of Agricultural Producers of Saskatchewan (APAS), said in a release. “User fees need to be reduced and reviewed more frequently as increasingly larger grain volumes are exported every year.
“…We need to find a practical, long-term, cost-effective method to provide maximum benefit to all grain producers.”
Effective Feb. 13, Patti Miller, the former president of the Canola Council of Canada, will become the chief commissioner of the CGC. Lonny McKague, a founder of one of Saskatchewan’s first rail shortlines, will become commissioner. Doug Chorney, former president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), will become assistant chief commissioner.
KAP’s current president said having such talent in the CGC can only help Canada’s grain farmers in the future.
“This is exceptional news for the grain and oilseeds industry because all three appointees have extensive experience in advancing our industry,” Dan Mazier said in a release. “KAP looks forward to working with them on modernizing the CGC’s flawed producer payment security system.”
Todd Lewis, APAS president, echoed Mazier’s sentiments.
“Patti has worked on many files in AAFC and as President of the Canola Council and she understands many of the ag and trade issues. Doug and Lonny are farmers, have led organizations at the provincial and national levels, understand shortlines, and know the issues they and other farmers face on the prairies. I believe the three Commissioners complement each other very well and can be very effective,” Lewis said.