Building for the Future with a Changing Landscape

Chris Moran, Executive Director, Grain Growers of Canada

Greetings from Ottawa! By way of introduction, my name is Chris Moran and I am the new Executive Director of the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), having taken up the reins on September 12, 2005. Although it has been only a few short weeks since I joined the GGC, this is a particularly busy fall so I have quickly.become acquainted with the many issues of interest to our members. Although I am new to the Grain Growers, the position is already feeling familiar to me, as I have worked with past Executive Directors of this organization on technical issues related to international trade in my previous position at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (now ITCan).

At ITCan, I led a team of officials responsible for representing Canada's trade interests on issues related to multilateral food safety standards, labelling, trade and the environment, Smart Regulations, and biotechnology. Like all of the issues facing the Grain Growers of Canada, these are complex policy issues with serious consequences for agricultural producers. Building consensus and finding solutions to these challenges has ultimately provided me with some of the tools required to lead the Grain Growers of Canada.

Grain Growers of Canada was formed five years ago to ensure that Canadian producers of grains and oilseeds had a national presence and a national voice. As the only Canadian grower organization that is devoted solely to crops, GGC is uniquely positioned to develop and press for policies to create opportunities for Canadian growers. This is a straightforward mission. As with all endeavours though, this is easier said than done, and challenges to our success will continue to present themselves. We must continue, as an organization, to develop a national position to present to the federal vernment on behalf of grain and seed producers, working to create portunity for all Canadian grain and seed producers.

I am thrilled to have joined GGC as Executive Director during this critical time, not only is the international agricultural landscape changing, but there are several federal initiatives which could alter the Canadian landscape as well. These changes will have lingering effects on GGC
members, such as the implementation the Smart Regulations agenda (e.g. the increased harmonization of pesticide regulations), the implementation of the Agricultural Poicy Framework, and the reviews of CAIS and the Own Use Import policy for pesticides. It is essential for Canadian producers of grains and oilseeds to make their voice heard in these discussions and I take that role very seriously. As such, I have begun to consult with member organizations to enure that we are coordinated and are presenting the most articulate and convincing arguments to the government, while soliciting support and finding champions at the political level.

The political landscape in Ottawa has changed too, which is changing the way that we work. Although many lament the difficulties of a minority government, there is much to be said for the emphasis on building coalitions on various issues. Although only a tenuous agreement was reached on the budget between the Liberals and the Conservatives, opposition MPs have an increased profile which bodes well for issues of relevance to the agricultural community to be taken up and pursued.

The landscape in which we operate is changing and the Grain Growers is maturing as an organization. It is, therefore, time for the organization to pause and reflect on why we came together, what we have accomplished, and where we want to be in another five years' time; we also need to plan how we will arrive at that point. I have undertaken a business planning exercise, in which I am seeking input from our member organizations and from the Board of Directors. The Business Plan for the organization will be strategic in nature, and will clearly outline our future priorities, indicating desired outcomes and how to measure success. The Plan will direct my overall work for the coming years.

This is a dynamic time to be working on behalf of Canadian grain farmers and I am pleased to bring my professional experience to this organization. I am fortunate to be able to rely partially on the good name that was established by my predecessors, but I know that I must also strive to reinforce and foster our reputation as a constructive, credible organization and the only national voice of growers.
I am under no delusions. I know that one of our strongest assets is our size and the diversity of our membership,
but this could also become our greatest weakness. Therefore, one of my primary tasks will be to ensure that Grain Growers of Canada is a unified voice for grain growers in Canada. This was the original goal of the organization, and I cannot lose sight of that.
I can be reached at cmoran@ggcpgc.ca.