Raison d’etre, mandate and role: who we are and what we do

Raison d’être

The Canadian Grain Commission (the Commission) is a federal government department that administers the provisions of the Canada Grain Act (CGA). The Commission regulates the handling of 20 grains^{Footnote 1} grown in Canada to protect producer rights and ensure the integrity of grain transactions. The Canadian Grain Commission is the official quality and quantity certifier of Canadian grain export shipments. The Canadian Grain Commission’s vision is “To be a world class, science-based quality assurance provider.” The Canadian Grain Commission reports to Parliament through the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Mandate and role

The Canadian Grain Commission’s mandate as set out in the CGA is to, “in the interests of the grain producers, 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 Canadian Grain Commission’s Core Responsibility is grain regulation. To fulfill this responsibility, the Canadian Grain Commission regulates grain handling in Canada and establishes and maintains science-based standards for Canadian grain.

The Canadian Grain Commission works to achieve two key Departmental Results:

• domestic and international markets regard Canadian grain as dependable and safe
• farmers are fairly compensated for their grain

To fulfill its Core Responsibility, the Canadian Grain Commission has three major programs:

Grain Quality Program

The Canadian Grain Commission delivers its Grain Quality Program in accordance with its responsibility under the CGA to establish and maintain Canada’s grain quality standards and to regulate grain handling in Canada to ensure a dependable commodity for domestic and export markets.

Grain Research Program

The CGA requires the Canadian Grain Commission to undertake, sponsor, and promote research in relation to grains and grain products. Research forms the basis of Canadian grain grade specifications and Canada’s grain quality assurance system.

Safeguard for Grain Farmers Program

The Canadian Grain Commission delivers the Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program in accordance with the CGA. The Commission regulates grain handling in order to ensure that Canadian grain producers receive fair compensation when they deliver grain to licensed grain companies.

For more information on the Canadian Grain Commission’s organizational mandate letter commitments, see Minister’s mandate letter^{Footnote 2}.