Memoranda of the Canadian Grain Commission

Grains not regulated under the Canada Grain Act

Trade memo number

2026-04

Date issued

2026-08-01

The Canadian Grain Commission does not provide services for grains not regulated (non-designated grains) under the Canada Grain Act.

This means that:

1. There is no grade schedule for non-designated grains.
2. Producers and industry may not apply to the Canadian Grain Commission for the determination of grade or dockage, analysis, or statement of assurance for non-designated grains.
3. Non-designated grains will not be included in the calculation of security requirements for licensees, and producers are not eligible for security coverage should a licensee fail to pay for a delivery.
4. Licensees must apply in writing to the Chief Grain Inspector for Canada for authorization by way of order to handle non-designated grains. This application must include the grain name, volume, and handling time frame.
5. Licensees cannot issue authorized documents for non-designated grains.
6. Licensed terminal elevator operators must report receipt and shipment tonnage of non-designated grains to the Canadian Grain Commission.
7. Stocks in-store for non-designated and imported grains must be included as part of elevator inventory at licensed terminal and primary elevators.
8. Should there be evidence of non-designated grains in a sample or cargo of grain being handled by a licensee, the official inspection procedures will include a determination of commercial cleanliness and may result in dockage being assigned. In such a case, non-designated grains not removable as dockage will be assessed as a grading factor applicable to the type of grain in which it is identified, which may affect the official grade of such grain.

Some examples of grains not regulated by the Canada Grain Act are listed below.

• Einkorn: this ancient crop is considered one of the oldest wheats and has been almost completely replaced by common wheat. It has re-emerged as a heritage grain.
• Spelt: an ancient wheat species that was almost completely replaced by common wheat. Spelt has re-emerged as a heritage grain and health food, and it is most often grown in organic cropping systems.
• Quinoa: an ancient grain that originated in the Andes. It is commonly used as a replacement for cereal grains such as wheat or rice.
• Khorasan wheat: an ancient relative of modern durum wheat. Although there are no varieties of Khorasan wheat registered in Canada, small volumes are grown in Canada, usually under the KAMUT® trademark.
• Camelina: an ancient oilseed in the Brassica family that is native to Europe and Asia. It is currently the subject of research trials in Canada to develop modern applications.
• Solin: a type of flaxseed that has been bred to have a low alpha-linolenic acid content of less than 5%.
• Brassica carinata (commonly known as Ethiopian mustard): a small oilseed that is very similar in size and shape to canola and domestic mustard seed. Varieties range in color from brown to yellow. B. carinata has a high erucic acid content that is similar to domestic mustard seed or rapeseed. It is grown in the dryer areas of western Canada and is targeted for use in the bio-diesel industry.
• Split peas: the Canadian Grain Commission has determined that split peas are a processed grain product, and therefore are not regulated under the Canada Grain Act.

These commodities are becoming increasingly popular but are not included in the 21 grains regulated by the Canadian Grain Commission. The 21 grains regulated by the Canadian Grain Commission are barley, oats, rye, triticale, wheat, canola, flaxseed, domestic mustard seed, rapeseed, safflower seed, soybeans, sunflower seed, beans, chickpeas, faba beans, lentils, peas, mixed grain, buckwheat, corn, and canary seed.

Inquiries

Questions related to this memorandum should be directed to:

• Natasha Thiessen, Head of Licensing, at 431-374-9637 or by email at natasha.thiessen@grainscanada.gc.ca
• Chris Foster, Chief of Grain Weighing Services for Canada, at 604-364-7090 or by email at chris.foster@grainscanada.gc.ca, or
• Derek Bunkowsky, Chief Grain Inspector for Canada, at 204-297-8541 or by email at derek.bunkowsky@grainscanada.gc.ca

Derek Bunkowsky
Chief Grain Inspector for Canada
Industry Services
800-303 Main Street
Winnipeg MB  R3C 3G8