WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — Canada Grains Council (CGC) Chairman, Chantelle Donahue, announced on April 15 the appointment of Richard Phillips as the new president of the CGC.

“We are so pleased to have Richard lead the council in its role of coordinating and representing the over-arching regulatory, public policy and trade interests of Canada’s grains, oilseed and special crops value chains,” said Donahue. “Managing these multi-commodity issues requires the mutual trust and collaboration of the council’s broad membership base and others in industry and government. Richard is ideally suited with his wealth of experience and natural tendency to build consensus.”

A third-generation seed grower/operator from Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Canada, Phillips brings many years of experience in the grain sector to the CGC. In addition to his current position as executive director of the Grain Growers of Canada for over six years, Richard has had various positions with the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance, United Grain Growers, Canola Council of Canada, and the Canada Grains Council where he currently serves on the board of directors.

Phillips also brings non-profit and political experience, having worked at the Canadian Foodgrains Bank as well as with Cabinet Ministers and opposition critics in the Saskatchewan legislature and the House of Commons.
“This is an exciting and prosperous time for Canada’s grain industry. I’m fortunate to have this new opportunity to further support the CGC’s efforts to better connect Canadians with agriculture and the Canadian industry in the global value-chain,” said Phillips.