Grain Growers of Canada call for rapid ratification of CUSMA

The Government’s signing of CUSMA is key to establishing certainty and growth in the North American market for Canada’s grain farmers.

OTTAWA (January 27, 2020) – Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) is urging the Government of Canada to ratify the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) as soon as possible. In doing so, Canadian farmers can begin experiencing the benefits of stable, reliable trade with the USA and Mexico.

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that passing the new NAFTA is a priority. GGC agrees that ratifying this agreement is essential to Canadian farmers and to Canadian trade, and is calling on all parties to come together to support the quick passage of CUSMA.

“Our farmer members across Canada need a stable market to succeed and to grow,” says GGC Chair Jeff Nielsen from his farm near Olds, AB. “By signing this historic agreement, the Government of Canada is committing to a meaningful upgrade to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and ensuring our North American market access is preserved.”

As it stands, Canada is the only country in the pact that has not yet passed legislation to ratify CUSMA. GGC strongly encourages Canada to join the USA and Mexico in ratifying CUSMA in order to keep Canadian trade with the United States and Mexico tariff-free. Additionally, if ratified, CUSMA will remove legal barriers that prevent grain grown in the USA from being treated equally here in Canada, a longstanding request from grain farmers on both sides of the border.

“Canadian grain growers — and any Canadian who relies on trade with our closest partners — needs tariff-free access as soon as possible,” says Nielsen. “If we don’t join the USA and Mexico in ratifying CUSMA, growth opportunities with our largest trading partners will be stunted.”

GGC believes that the time for action is now and further delays are not in the interest of Canadian farmers or the Canadian economy.

“The success of Canadian agriculture is not a partisan issue,” says Nielsen. “We urge all parties to work together to see the legislation through.”

GGC will continue, in conjunction with our partners within the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA), to advocate for and encourage the timely passage of legislation in this Parliament to ratify CUSMA.

About Grain Growers of Canada
GGC provides a strong national voice for over 65,000 active and successful grain, oilseed and pulse producers through its 16 provincial, regional and national grower groups. As a farmer-driven association, GGC advocates for the federal government to take decisions that support the competitiveness and profitability of grain growers across Canada.

Media Contact:
Lindsey Ehman
Manager, Member and Partner Engagement
(o): 613-233-9954 ext. 202
(c): 613-222-2726
(e): lehman@ggc-pgc.ca

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