Stronger Canadian Wheat Board Increases Competition in Grain Sector

Deal marks final step in Marketing Freedom

Yesterday, April 15, 2015, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced Government of Canada approval of a deal reached between the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and G3 Global Grain Group which ensures CWB becomes a fully private and global competitor in the Canadian grain sector. With this deal, the Government has fully delivered on its commitment to Marketing Freedom by increasing marketing choice for Western Canadian grain farmers.

The deal will see the investor, a new Canadian company headquartered in Winnipeg, invest $250 million in CWB, with plans to develop a coast to coast grain processing and shipping network across Canada. Once fully realized, the growth associated with this deal is expected to increase Canada’s grain export capacity and add hundreds of jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars of economic growth across the Prairies.

The stronger CWB will offer farmers the opportunity to build significant equity in a growing grain company by delivering their grain. Canadian farmers have the opportunity to financially participate in CWB through the continuation of the Farmer Equity Plan.

This deal will benefit Canada through increased competition in the Canadian grain market and significant Canadian ownership through the farmers trust.

Marketing Freedom and the commercialization of CWB is part of the Government’s broader modernization of Canada’s grain sector supporting the creation of jobs and economic growth for farmers and Canadians. It includes an aggressive trade and market access agenda, grain transportation and supply chain improvements and investments in science and research.

Quick Facts:
• The Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act, which received Royal Assent in December 2011, allowed the CWB until August 2016 to present a plan for commercialization to the Minister of Agriculture.
• G3 plans to build a coast to coast Canadian grain enterprise that will lead to increased job creation and economic growth across Canada.
• Farmers will benefit from this deal by having another major company competing for their grain.
• Canadian farmers will also have the opportunity to own equity in the CWB through the Farmer Equity Plan.

Quotes:
“Our commitment to Marketing Freedom and increasing marketing choice has always been about giving farmers the right to sell their own grain to a buyer of their choice. The removal of the CWB monopoly attracted numerous investors wanting to expand Canada’s grain capacity and supply chain. This investment deal offers Canadian farmers access to a new global player to compete for their grain and more delivery points for farmers to sell their grain. The result of these new investments and jobs will provide a huge economic benefit to the grain sector and Canada’s overall economy.”
 Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz

“This deal will enable the CWB to continue to expand its network. CWB’s investments to date translate into hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment and hundreds of jobs across Canada. It also establishes a major new player in the Canadian grain industry well into the future, and we look forward to furthering our relationships with farmers across Canada.”
 Ian White, President and CEO, CWB

“It is a dynamic time for Canadian agriculture. As global demand for agri-products grows, consumers continue to demand the high quality grain produced by our Canadian farmers. Our vision is to establish a highly efficient coast to coast Canadian grain enterprise that provides stronger market access solutions for growers and delivers value to our stakeholders and the Canadian agriculture industry as a whole. We welcome the CWB team and farmer equity owners, and look forward to working together to build a new and dynamic company.”
 Karl Gerrand, CEO, G3

Additional Information:
• Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers
• Initiatives Supporting Crop Producers
• Stronger CWB will increase competition in the grain sector and create jobs – Infographic
• The Path to Marketing Freedom – Infographic
• Canadian Wheat Board