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CSGA 2025 AGM Agenda

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Important AGM Documents

Registration Desk, Spirit Room Foyer

  • Thursday, July 3: 9 am – 12 pm and 3 – 8 pm
  • Friday, July 4: 7 – 9 am

Thursday, July 3 Optional Tours – Please check your times below

Salmon Fishing (AM)

6:30 – 6:40 am Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
6:40 am Walk to 1104 Wharf Street, Victoria (10–20 min)
7:00 am – 12:00 pm Fishing Time
12:00 – 12:20 pm Walk back to the hotel 

Note: Dock location may change to Fisherman’s Wharf, pending construction updates.

Salmon Fishing (PM)

11:40 – 11:50 am Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
11:50 am Walk to 1104 Wharf Street, Victoria (10–20 min)
12:15 – 5:15 pm Fishing Time
5:15 – 5:30 pm Walk back to the hotel 

Note: Dock location may change to Fisherman’s Wharf, pending construction updates.

Butchart Gardens (PM)

12:45 – 1 pm Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
1:00 pm Bus departure for Gardens (~40 mins)
1:40 – 4:00 pm Garden experience
4:00 – 4:15 pm Load return bus
4:15 pm Bus departure
5:00 pm Arrival Hotel (subject to traffic)

Golf (PM) (sponsored by Seed World Canada)

12:45 Departure from Hotel lobby
1:15 pm Arrival at Highland Pacific Golf
1:30 – 5:30 pm 18-hole golf game
5:30 pm Depart golf course
6:10 pm Arrival Hotel (subject to traffic)

Tall Ship Sailing (PM)

12:50 pm Meeting Point: Hotel lobby
1:00 pm Walk to 780 Government St, Empress “A” Dock (15–20 min)
1:30 – 4:30 pm Sailing Time
4:30 – 4:50 pm Walk back to Hotel (15–20 min)

 Evening

  • The evening is yours to discover all Victoria has to offer! 
  • Show your VIP Program Delegate logo (on your AGM Name Badge) for many discounts and savings!

Thank you to CANTERRA SEEDS for sponsoring the Inn at Laurel Point Key Cards.


Thank you to Crop Development Centre for sponsoring the AGM Lanyards.

Friday, July 4 Business Program

 

7:00 am  Registration Desk, Spirit Foyer

  • Good morning! If you haven’t already, please stop by the Registration Desk to check in with us before you head to the AGM.

7:15 – 8:15 am Breakfast, Terrace Room

8:15 – 8:50 am  Welcome and Housekeeping, Spirit Room

  • President’s welcome
  • Executive Director’s Welcome and Report

 8:50 – 9:55 am  Panel – Bridging Policy & Power: Navigating Government Relations

  • Carla Ventin, Government Relations advisor and Agri-food industry leader,  Scott Ross, Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, and Jeff Reid, CEO and General Manager of SeCan break down the critical policy issues impacting Canadian producers and businesses today. Gain practical insights on advocacy and the role for industry to ensure your voice is heard where it matters most.

9:55 – 10:15 am  Health Break

10:15 – 11:00 am  Advances in Drone Innovation for Hemp Crop Inspections 

  • Dr. Jan Slaski, Expert Researcher, Bio-Industrial Services Division, InnoTech, University of Alberta, Lethbridge shares cutting-edge research on AI-powered drones for detecting off-types in hemp crops. Explore how this innovation could enhance efficiency and accuracy in seed certification.

11:00 – 11:55 am Navigating Agriculture’s Economic Landscape: Market Trends and Risks

  • Craig Klemmer, Manager of Thought Leadership, Farm Credit Canada (FCC) an expert in market trends, industry risk, and macroeconomic analysis, will share insights into the economic forces shaping Canadian agriculture today.

12:00 – 1:00 pm  Lunch

1:00 – 1:35 pm  AGM Business Program

  • Approval of 2024 AGM and SGM Minutes
  • Presidents’ Report
  • Presentation of Financial Statements
  • Approval of Auditors
  • Election of Regular and Affiliate Board Members

1:35 – 2:30 pm Keynote Speaker: Mike Downie

  • Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker / Co-Founder of Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
  • “What’s Your Story?” will challenge and inspire delegates to reflect on their own experiences and the role they play in shaping the future of Canadian agriculture.
  • Thank you, Bayer CropScience

2:35 – 2:50 pm  Health Break

2:50 – 3:45 pm  Harnessing AI in Agriculture: Real-World Tools Transforming Decision-Making

  • Brock Moir, AI Strategist explores how AI-powered tools are reshaping agricultural decision-making—from predictive analytics to automation. Learn how real-world applications of AI are driving efficiency, improving outcomes, and shaping the future of Canadian agriculture.

3:45 – 4:00 pm  Closing Remarks 

4:00 pm  Adjournment Day 1

Family Fun Night

5:30 – 10:30 pm  Thank you, SeCan

5:20 pm Meet in the Lobby 
5:30 pm Buses depart (35 minutes to venue)
6:05 pm Church and State buffet dinner and games
9 pm, 10 pm, & 10:30 pm Bus departures from Church and State

Please dress casually and comfortably

Saturday, July 5 Business Program

7:15 – 8:30 am  Breakfast, Terrace Room

  • A delicious hot breakfast is the best way to start your day.

8:30 – 8:40 am  Welcome Back

  • President and Executive Director’s welcome back

8:40 – 9:05 am  Economic Impact: How CDC’s Crop Improvement Programs Drive Agriculture Returns

  • Marissa Janssen, Manager, Crop Development Centre explains how crop innovation drives economic impact beyond just yield. Learn how the CDC’s advanced breeding programs boost farm profitability, enhance global competitiveness, and create lasting value for producers, industry, and government.

9:05 – 9:35 am  CSGA Standards – “What’s the latest and what are we working on”

  • Michael Scheffel, Managing Director, Policy and Standards, CSGA

9:35 – 9:45 am  AOSCA Update                                              

  • Dr. Sarah Wilbanks, CEO, AOSCA

9:45 – 10:00 am New CSGA Projects in Action

  • Doug Miller, Executive Director, CSGA

10:00 – 10:20 am  Health Break

10:20 – 11:00 am  CFIA Update

  • Patricia McAllister, Director, Plant Production Division, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

11:00 am – 12:00 pm  Keynote Speaker Dr. David Coletto

  • Founder, Chair, and CEO of Abacus Data, is one of Canada’s leading public opinion analysts with over 20 years of experience.
  • In his talk, “From Abundance to Shortage: How Scarcity Is Changing Our Lives,” Dr. Coletto will explore how a growing scarcity mindset is influencing behaviour and reshaping society.

12:00 – 1:00 pm  Lunch

1:00 – 2:40 pm  Tell Your Story – Social Media Presentation and Workshop

  • Alison Mathews, public relations expert, leads a hands-on workshop to help you use social media authentically to engage customers.
    Learn how to build your brand, create impactful content, and connect meaningfully to showcase your pride in Certified seed.

2:40 – 3:00 pm  Health Break

3:00 – 4:00 pm  From the Ground Up: Member-to-Member Session

  • Active Regular, Affiliate, and Associate CSGA members are invited to this closed session.
  • Member discussion/vote: proposed inflationary fee increase
  • Member proposals
  • Adjournment

Saturday, July 5 Awards Gala Dinner

(Semi-Formal), Terrace Ballroom

6:00 – 7:00 pm Cocktails

  • Join us on the outdoor terrace for cocktails, local craft beer and spirits.

7:00 – 9:00 pm Dinner (Table wine sponsored by SeedNet)

  • Enjoy a wonderful plated dinner as we celebrate excellence, dedication, and service in the seed sector with presentations of the 2025 CSGA Awards.
    • CSGA Honorary Life Award
      • Art Gorda
      • Dr. Peter Pauls
    • Robertson Associate Award
      • André Lussier
      • Ron Markert
      • Jonathan Nyborg
      • Joe Rennick
    • Clark-Newman-Clayton Award
      • Dr. Pierre Hucl

Friday, July 4 Companion’s Program

Welcome, Companions! Enjoy your fantastic full-day tour! Your Program also includes the Friday Family Fun Night and the Saturday Awards Gala Dinner.

7:15 – 8:00 am Hotel Breakfast
8:45 – 9:00 am Meet in hotel lobby
9:00 am Bus departure for Malahat Skywalk
10:00 – 11:30 am Skywalk experience
11:30 – 11:45 am Bus loading at Malahat
11:45 am Bus depart Malahat for Alpina
12:00 – 1:15 pm Lunch, Alpina Restaurant
1:15 – 1:30 pm Bus loading at restaurant
1:30 pm Bus departs Alpina for Empress A dock
2:30 – 3:45 pm Gorge Tour experience
3:45 – 4:00 pm Bus departs dock
4:15 pm Arrival at Hotel

 

Friday, July 4 Children’s Program

(sponsored by the Bolton and Klym families)

Welcome, Kids! Enjoy your fantastic full-day tour! Your Program also includes the Friday Family Fun Night and the Saturday Awards Gala Dinner.

7:15 – 8:00 am Hotel Breakfast
8:35 am Parents, please drop your kids off in the Hunt Room
9:30 am Bus departure to WildPlay Victoria
10:00 am – 3 pm Classic Course, Picnic Lunch, “What’s to Fear” jump
3:30 pm Bus leaves Wildplay
4:00 pm Approx. return to hotel (subject to traffic)

Important:

  • If a parent/guardian needs to get in touch with the Children’s Tour, please call Lindsay at (647) 454-9948.
  • Ensure you’ve submitted your child’s Wildplay waiver via this link!