OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA — Erin Gowriluk has been named president of the Canada Grains Council (CGC). She succeeds outgoing executive vice president Tyler Bjornson. In her new role, Gowriluk will seek to raise the profile of Canada’s grain, oilseed, pulse and special crop sectors and elevate the discussion around relevant policy issues at a national level.

Gowriluk most recently was executive director of the Grain Growers of Canada for the past four years, where she managed day-to-day operations and advanced federal policy work on behalf of 65,000 grain farmer members from coast to coast. Earlier, she was manager of government and industry relations at Syngenta Canada Inc. She also served as chair of the National Environmental Farm Plan Summit and was government relations and policy manager for the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions. She began her career as a policy research assistant with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development.

“There is a lot of opportunity for the Canadian grains sector at the moment, and we are confident that Erin is just the person to help us stay at the forefront of a rapidly shifting political, trade and regulatory climate,” said Rick White, chair of the CGC. “Erin’s history of strong leadership, strategic innovation and nurturing partnerships within our sector will be immensely helpful as we work to meet strategic goals.”

Gowriluk said she was drawn to the CGC because she believes the organization’s track record shows that there is more that unites the Canadian grain industry than divides it.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this truly unique organization, which includes representation from the entire value chain and unprecedented levels of industry collaboration,” Gowriluk said. “As we face unprecedented market and trade challenges for Canadian crop exports, barriers to innovation without our industry, and increasing regulatory burdens for our sector, there has never been a more important time for our industry to raise its profile and influence change through one unified and impactful voice. I am excited to work with Council members to expand the scope of our collective work and our impact.”