WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) will celebrate its 100 year anniversary in 2012. As a lead up to the celebration, the CGC will be adding to its online historical collection atwww.grainscanada.gc.ca.

The collection includes the story of how the CGC began, a timeline featuring historical photographs and artifacts, and a gallery of photos taken from its archives.


Agriculture and the grain industry helped Canada grow and develop in the 19th and 20th centuries. From 1870 to 1930 grain production grew significantly and, during that time, grain came to be one of Canada’s most important export commodities. At the same time, the population of Western Canada grew from a few thousand people to 2.25 million.

“Grain farming really helped shape Canada after Confederation,” said Elwin Hermanson, chief commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission. “It opened the West to settlement and was the driving force of Canada’s economy. We’re proud to be a part of that heritage and we want to share our pride with Canadians.”

The CGC was established in 1912 when Parliament passed the Canada Grain Act in response to farmer-led organizations asking for a way to guarantee fair treatment in the grain handling system.

The CGC is asking for stories and photos to add to its digital collection. For more information about submissions contact,[email protected].