Ottawa, Ontario, October 10, 2012 - Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced today the re-appointment of Elwin Hermanson as Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC).
"I'm very pleased to announce the re-appointment of Mr. Hermanson as Chief Commissioner for the CGC," said Minister Ritz. "Since taking on this important role in 2008, Mr. Hermanson has led the CGC through significant changes in Canada's grain sector -- whether it be at home during the transition to marketing freedom for Canadian wheat and barley producers, or abroad, by helping re-open key markets for grain. Moving forward, Canadian farmers will continue to count on his leadership in supporting our innovative and competitive grain sector."
Headquartered in Winnipeg, the CGC is the federal agency responsible for establishing and maintaining Canada's grain quality standards and regulating grain handling in Canada to ensure a dependable commodity for domestic and export markets.
The CGC's key activities are quality and quantity assurance, producer protection and grain research. The CGC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Mr. Hermanson's re-appointment is for a term of three years and is effective January 21, 2013. A biographical note for Mr. Hermanson is attached.
To learn more about the CGC, please visit www.grainscanada.gc.ca
Elwin Hermanson was appointed as the Chief Commissioner of the CGC in 2008.
As Chief Commissioner, he also serves as the CEO and provides overall direction and leadership to staff in administering the Canada Grain Act and in the provision of services to the grain industry.
Mr. Hermanson has an extensive background in agribusiness. Until 2008, he actively managed a family owned and operated business located in Beechy, Saskatchewan, which has grown into Hermanson Land & Sky Ltd. Today, it is comprised of 2,100 cultivated acres, a 4,000-acre commercial cow/calf ranch and custom farming business.
As a Member of Parliament for Kindersley-Lloydminster from 1993 to 1997, he served on the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food from 1995 to 1997 and was also Chief Agriculture Critic for the Reform Caucus over this two-year period. Mr. Hermanson subsequently entered Saskatchewan provincial politics, serving as a MLA from 1999 until 2007, as well as the Leader of the Saskatchewan Party from 1998 to 2004 and Leader of the Official Opposition from 1999 to 2004.
For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff English
Press Secretary
The Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
613-773-1059
