2015-16 Departmental Performance Report

Description

Relevant, efficient and innovative Canadian Grain Commission programs and services is a priority that supports the Canadian Grain Commission’s mandate to “establish and maintain standards of quality for Canadian grain and regulate grain handling in Canada, to ensure a dependable commodity for domestic and export markets.” The goal of this priority is to continue to effectively provide services that ensure a robust grain quality and grain safety assurance system that meets stakeholder needs and supports the competitiveness and marketability of Canadian grain in both domestic and international markets. To achieve this priority, the Canadian Grain Commission must work in close collaboration with all stakeholders, including producers, grain handlers and processors, end-users of Canadian grain, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and other domestic and foreign government entities.

Priority Type^{Footnote 2}

Previously committed to

Description

To ensure the ongoing viability of the Canadian Grain Commission and provide programs and services as efficiently and effectively as possible, a priority is to invest in infrastructure, including technology. This priority directly supports delivery of the Canadian Grain Commission’s mandate and all programs.

Priority Type^{Footnote 2}

New

Description

In light of significant changes experienced at all levels of the organization and in line with the principles of Blueprint 2020, this priority is aimed at fostering a work environment where employees are engaged, equipped and supported as they adapt to ongoing change. Progress towards this priority will ensure employees have the necessary skills and supports to deliver high quality programs and services now, and are equipped to respond to future needs of internal and external stakeholders.

Priority Type^{Footnote 2}

Previously committed to

Description

Canadian Grain Commission stakeholders include Canadian grain producers, grain handlers, grain exporters, grain buyers, domestic and international end-use customers, the Canadian public, and government. The Canadian Grain Commission provides value along the entire supply chain from producers to global consumers of Canadian grain. While the Canadian Grain Commission plays a key role in supporting Canadian exporters to market successfully in competitive international grain markets, general knowledge of what the Canadian Grain Commission does and our role in domestic and international grain markets is limited. In order to succeed in a rapidly changing and complex environment, building constructive relationships with all stakeholders will be a focus during the planning period.

Priority Type^{Footnote 2}

New

Description

The Canadian Grain Commission's quality assurance program is delivered pursuant to the Canada Grain Act and the Canada Grain Regulations. This program assures consistent and reliable grain quality that meets the needs of international and domestic markets. Grain quality refers to end use processing quality, grain safety and cleanliness, and, in some cases, the composition of varieties in shipments of grain. Provision of grain inspection, grain safety, grain sanitation, grading and analytical services, as well as strong scientific and technical support programs and services are integral components to the overall delivery of an effective quality assurance program. The program includes a complaints resolution process for resolving customer complaints and disputes with respect to grain quality assurance. An effective grain quality assurance program is a key factor in permitting Canadian exporters to market successfully in competitive international grain markets and is essential for producers to realize maximum value from their grain. The quality assurance program is funded by revolving fund revenue.

Program Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

The Quality Assurance Program directly supports the delivery of the Canadian Grain Commission’s mandate and is necessary for the Canadian Grain Commission to achieve its strategic outcome of assuring Canada’s grain is safe, reliable and marketable. During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission continued to provide all inspection services in accordance with its ISO 9001:2008 quality management system to ensure consistent and reliable quality assurance of Canadian grain shipments. The Canadian Grain Commission certified the quality of 1,733 cargoes representing 38,168,516 tonnes of Canadian export grain. The Canadian Grain Commission investigated complaints from buyers regarding two of those cargoes. Upon thorough investigation of the loading process, including analysis of cargo samples and vessel loading documentation, the Canadian Grain Commission’s Chief Grain Inspector concluded that none of the complaints were justifiable.

During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission continued to liaise with other federal government departments (e.g. CFIA, AAFC, Health Canada, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada), the Canadian grain handlers and processors, producers, and international agencies concerning grain quality and safety matters and trade implications. In addition, the Canadian Grain Commission continued efforts to clarify its role within the industry and among other government departments. Feedback and input received served as a foundation for developing services and processes to better meet stakeholder expectations in accordance with that role. Additional information on the activities and services that contribute to the Quality Assurance Program is available on the Canadian Grain Commission website.

2015-16 actual spending is $4.529 million less than 2015-16 planned spending. This is primarily due to decreased operational spending in staffing and project delays for infrastructure renewal.

Description

The Canadian Grain Commission’s quantity assurance program is delivered pursuant to the Canada Grain Act and the Canada Grain Regulations. The services delivered under this program facilitate the official weighing of export shipments of grain discharged from terminal elevators and the issuance of accompanying quantity assurance documentation. This program ensures international grain buyers and end users that Canadian export grain shipments are accurately weighed and that the weighed product is delivered to conveyances as reported on Canadian Grain Commission documentation. The program includes weighing systems certifications at terminal elevators, input into weighing equipment requirements and device inspection frequency at primary elevators to ensure accurate weighing of producer deliveries, and a quantity assurance dispute resolution process. To maintain relevancy and to address constantly changing industry demands, the quantity assurance program is supported through legislative requirements and technically based responsibilities. The quantity assurance program is funded by revolving fund revenue.

Program Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

The Canadian Grain Commission continued to deliver all weighing services in accordance with its ISO 9001:2008 quality management system to ensure consistent and reliable quantity assurance of Canadian grain shipments and to meet the legislative requirements of the Canada Grain Act. This includes regular review of quantity assurance processes allowing the Canadian Grain Commission to adjust service procedures and identify or adjust training as necessary.

During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission investigated two weight-related cargo complaints. Upon thorough review and analysis, the Canadian Grain Commission concluded that the original statement of quantity for both shipments was correct. The Canadian Grain Commission continued to work closely with producers, industry stakeholders, Measurement Canada, AAFC, and other government departments and agencies to establish and maintain grain quantity assurance standards that evolve with industry grain weighing procedures, equipment standards, and quantity assurance needs. During 2016-17, the Canadian Grain Commission plans to introduce quantity assurance audits to ensure compliance with required procedures.

2015-16 actual spending is consistent with 2015-16 planned spending.

Additional information on the activities and services that contribute to the Quantity Assurance Program is available on the Canadian Grain Commission website.

Description

The Canada Grain Act requires the Canadian Grain Commission to undertake, sponsor and promote research related to grains. The Canadian Grain Commission conducts research in support of Canada’s grain quality assurance system to address emerging issues and facilitate the effective marketing of Canadian grain in domestic and international markets. The Canadian Grain Commission’s Grain Research Laboratory (GRL) researches factors affecting the quality and safety of grain and grain based products as well as procedures and technologies to quantify those factors. Research in the GRL forms the basis of grade specifications. This program benefits not only the agricultural sector, but also Canadians as consumers of grain products. Close collaboration with Canadian and international scientific, academic, analytical, grain industry organizations, as well as other Canadian government departments (e.g., Agriculture and Agri Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada) ensures that the Canadian Grain Commission remains abreast of new research developments and is able to adapt research priorities to emerging challenges. The grain quality research program is funded by a combination of revolving fund revenue and appropriations.

Program Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

During 2015-16, the GRL successfully conducted research in support of grade specifications and the grading system. Scientific information and research results were shared with the scientific community and stakeholders. For example, results were provided to facilitate Western Standards Committee recommendations and Eastern Standards Committee recommendations.

The GRL’s Crops Section scientifically assessed the quality of the 2015 Canadian grain harvest, assessed how grading factors affect end-use qualities, researched new uses for Canadian grains, and assessed new and improved methods for evaluating and measuring end-use quality factors for all grains. In addition, new varieties were assessed for quality as part of the variety registration process. This research continues to be a significant factor in permitting effective marketing of Canadian grains and facilitates end-use diversification of Canadian grains.

The GRL’s Technologies Section continued efforts to study and develop technologies and methods to assess the quality and safety of Canadian grains. Research efforts are aimed at developing and implementing new and improved methods for evaluating and measuring grain quality and grain safety to increase efficiency, reduce costs and enhance the testing capabilities of the Canadian Grain Commission and the Canadian grain industry.

During 2015-16, the GRL undertook a strategic planning session to solicit input from external experts on future direction for scientific research and technology programs at the Canadian Grain Commission. Canadian Grain Commission scientific research and technology programs were assessed for current and future relevance inlight of the changing Canadian grain industry. Potential medium and long-term scientific research and technology areas of relevance were then identified. Feedback will be used to improve and enhance Canadian Grain Commission scientific research and technology programs going forward. Also in 2015-16, an evaluation was completed on the Canadian Grain Commission’s annual Harvest Sample Program. An action plan is being developed to identify long term priorities and improve the program.

Detailed information on 2015-16 scientific research highlights, accomplishment and ongoing research projects can be found in the Grain Research Laboratory Annual Program Report 2015 (PDF 3,6 mb). Additional information on the Grain Quality Research Program is available on the Canadian Grain Commission website.

2015-16 actual spending is $0.569 million more than 2015-16 planned spending. This is primarily due to an increase in allocation of rent expenditures.

Description

Pursuant to the Canada Grain Act and Canada Grain Regulations, the Canadian Grain Commission has implemented a number of programs and safeguards to ensure that grain producers are properly compensated for grain delivered to licensed grain companies. These include the licensing and security program, allocation of available producer cars for producers and producer groups that wish to ship their own grain, and producer liaison measures including education and a grain grade reinspection system. In addition, the Canadian Grain Commission collects and updates grain quality data and grain handling information to facilitate producer sales and marketing decisions. The producer protection program is funded by revolving fund revenue.

Program Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

During 2015-16, the Canadian Grain Commission continued to investigate opportunities to adjust and adapt producer protection activities and services to be efficient and effective. The Canadian Grain Commission continued communication efforts to ensure producers are aware of their rights under the Canada Grain Act and to increase awareness of Canadian Grain Commission producer protection activities and services. The Canadian Grain Commission responded to all inquiries from producers and responded to all producer complaints related to compensation received for the quality and/or quantity of grain delivered within the licensed grain handling system.

As of April 1, 2016, the Canadian Grain Commission had issued licences for 338 primary elevators, 45 process elevators, 29 terminal elevators, and 93 grain dealers. The Canadian Grain Commission continued to investigate reports of unlicensed companies to determine if they require licensing under the Canada Grain Act. In cases where the Canadian Grain Commission has determined a licence is required, the licensing process has been initiated. Reports and business records from all licensees were reviewed and 32 licensees were audited by the Canadian Grain Commission. During 2015-16 one licensee did not meet producer payment obligations. The claims process for producers who were not paid for their grain deliveries commenced in fiscal year 2016-17. Canadian Grain Commission staff responded to all reported instances of licensing non-compliance and continued monitoring activities to mitigate non-payment risks to producers. The Canadian Grain Commission continues to investigate opportunities to develop a more cost-effective producer payment protection model.

The Canadian Grain Commission received and processed approximately 6,600 producer railway car applications during 2015-16. The Canadian Grain Commission responded to all inquiries and concerns with respect to the administration of the allocation of producer cars. There were zero formal complaints received during 2015-16. The Canadian Grain Commission made several changes to the producer car program to ensure the program provides timely and efficient service to producers and producer car administrators. This included updates and improvements to the producer car application process and a new redefined and more automated producer car allocation method.

The licensing requirements of the Canada Grain Act ensure that producers who deliver to a licenced primary elevator can access their right to be paid on the basis of grade and dockage that is determined by a Canadian Grain Commission inspector, rather than by the grain handler. During 2015-16, grain producers submitted 187 samples to the Canadian Grain Commission for quality determination under the “subject to inspector’s grade and dockage” provision. In addition, 1,007 samples were submitted to the Canadian Grain Commission by producers for grading (producer submitted samples).