WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA – The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) is proposing to reduce service fees collected for four official grain inspection and official grain weighing services on Aug. 1.

The proposal is in response to the sustained growth in grain export volumes in recent years and aims to better align fee revenues with fixed service delivery costs, the CGC said.

It noted that these changes would result in a combined reduction for official inspection and weighing services fees from C$1.48 to C$1.05 per tonne for ships, and a cost decrease of C$37.88 per official inspection and weighing services for a railway car, truck, or container. The proposed reduction comes two years before the end of the current fee review cycle.

For fiscal year 2021-22, fees paid by grain sector stakeholders would be reduced by approximately C$13.79 million, a cost decrease of 19%. Savings for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 fiscal years are expected to be approximately $20.68 million each year, a cost decrease of 29%, the CGC said.

Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of agriculture and agri-food, described the proposed changes as “great news” for the entire grain sector.

“These changes will ensure fees are adjusted to better reflect the cost-of-service delivery and, ultimately, help to keep more money in the pockets of our grain producers,” he said.

The proposed changes require amendment to the Canada Grain Regulations. They will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I for public comment on May 22 and stakeholders have until June 7 to provide feedback.