For Immediate Release
SASKATOON, SK — [September 11, 2025] —The Wheat Growers Association is expressing deep disappointment with the federal government’s recent announcements, including both the proposed tariff mitigation measures for peas and canola and the launch of the newMajor Projects Office (MPO). While the MPO’s goal of fast-tracking nation-building projects is welcome, the first series of projects announced does little to address the most pressing infrastructure and trade challenges facing Western Canadian farmers.
“In a rapidly shifting global landscape, our farmers are facing tariffs, market uncertainty, and crushing logistics bottlenecks,” said Daryl Fransoo, Chair of the Wheat Growers. “The government’s new Major Projects Office should be laser-focused on the nation-building investments that unlock our ability to move grain efficiently to global markets. Instead, Western farmers are left wondering when the Port of Vancouver’s congestion, labour disruptions, and outdated infrastructure will be taken seriously.”
The Wheat Growers emphasize that Canada’s agricultural competitiveness depends on a modern, resilient supply chain that allows commodities to flow freely and predictably to export markets. Despite the MPO’s promise to streamline approvals for projects of national interest, no measures were announced to deal with the crippling bottlenecks on Canada’s West Coast, particularly at the Port of Vancouver.
Call to Action: Building a Reliable Export System
The Wheat Growers are urging the federal government to:
- Expand capacity at the Port of Vancouver to ensure grain exports can keep pace with production growth.
- Upgrade the Second Narrows Memorial Bridge to remove a critical chokepoint for rail traffic.
- Reform labour laws to prevent shutdowns and strikes that hold Canada’s economy hostage.
- Embrace digital innovation to eliminate outdated regulatory duplication and simplify approvals across federal and provincial jurisdictions.
“Competitiveness cannot wait,” Fransoo added. “Every day of delay erodes Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier. We welcome the government’s ambition to move quickly on LNG, nuclear, and container capacity projects, but grain exports are every bit as strategic to Canada’s economy. Agriculture needs to be at the front of the line.”
The Wheat Growers will continue to engage with federal and provincial partners to ensure that Western Canadian farmers have the infrastructure and policy environment they need to compete – and win – in the global marketplace.
Media Contact:
Darcy Pawlik
Executive Director, Wheat Growers Association
Email: dpawlik@wheatgrowers.ca
Phone: (306) 361-5667
About the Wheat Growers
Founded in 1970, the Wheat Growers is a voluntary farmer-run advocacy organization dedicated to developing public policy solutions that strengthen the profitability and sustainability of farming, and the agricultural industry as a whole.
For more information please visit: wheatgrowers.ca. Click here to see who is helping to advocate for grain farmers.