The Grain Growers of Canada have hired René Drolet ( DROW-LET) Consulting Services to take the lead in developing a path forward for the "Road to 2050."

Branden Leslie, the GGC's Manager of Policy and Government Relations says the overall goal is to develop a climate solutions initiative to help meet Canada’s ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

He says the consultants will also work with an expert advisory council with diverse views from across the industry and the country with farmers playing a key role:

"It is becoming increasingly evident that we must now to mitigate the impacts of climate change. And we do believe that Canadian farms offer tremendous potential to play a larger role as those climate solutions providers, but those solutions need to be practical. I think that's a big part of what this project is intended to be, is let farmers really guide this policy development process and make sure that we can work hand in hand with government to achieve our shared objectives of emission reductions."

He notes we also need to make sure that we maintain the profitability of a family farm in Canada.

"Farmers expect the government to be reasonable and listen to what they say is feasible. So this project is certainly aiming to do just that. Farmers want to partner with governments in these shared goals. We need to make sure that we do maintain focus on innovation, those yield increases through plant genetics, and other new technologies that are emerging that have caused farmers to use less emissions and use inputs more efficiently. 

He points out that we need to make sure that we are able to continue to be profitable, and protect the prosperity of not just the farms, but those communities they support across this country.