CSGA and its Seed Synergy partners are asking you to vote on a proposal to create a single, National Seed Organization (NSO), to be called Seeds Canada to speak with one voice for the sector. To help you cast your vote, we want to share key features of the proposed new organization that will be in place starting on Day 1.
Seeds Canada will continue to provide CSGA members with all the services they know and expect. The new Service Delivery Model will be characterized by:
- Business continuity: Supporting business continuity by providing two types of services:
- Member-based services: Services exclusive to members of Seeds Canada such as communications, professional development programming, and advocacy.
- Client-based services: Services associated with seed industry regulation or operation (e.g., seed crop certification, RSE accreditation, and training for seed quality assurance activities) and non-seed services such as organic certification.
- Strong governance: Offer a streamlined approach to governance with a 15-member Board of Directors and three main committees:
- A Seed Certification Committee
- A Public Affairs and Advocacy Committee
- A Seed Testing and Quality Assurance Committee
- Single window service delivery: Ensuring efficiency and business support by providing a “Single window” service delivery model that provides members and clients with seamless access to services and regulatory processes through just one organization.
In Focus: The Seed Certification Committee
Along with Seeds Canada professional staff, the Seed Certification Committee will foster an ongoing relationship with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Provincial Ministries of Agriculture to facilitate joint policy development and operational decision-making. The committee will also advise the Board on optimal strategies for seed certification delivery and modernization, and with Board approval, strike subcommittees, working groups and task forces as required to fulfill the mandate and support the Seed Certification system. The committee will:
- On the advice of expert professional staff, advise and make recommendations to the Board for:
- seed varietal (genetic identity and purity) and quality (including germination, physical purity and disease) certification and related activities
- other regulatory standards
- operating procedures and approaches
- processes and protocols for all delegated regulatory authorities, ensuring appropriate co-management of the seed certification system, in keeping with the Corporation’s agreement with the CFIA
- Actively work towards realizing seed regulatory modernization.
Participate, along with Seeds Canada’s regulatory professional staff, in an independent efficiency and effectiveness review commissioned by the Board every five years.
The Implementation Process
For Seeds Canada to proceed, 2/3 of members who vote from each of the five partner organizations (CSGA, CSTA, CSI, CPTA and CSAAC) must vote in favour of the amalgamation proposal. Upon a successful ratification vote, CSGA and its partners will collaborate and coordinate on executing the Seeds Canada 100 Day Implementation Plan starting on or before October 15, 2020. The execution of the Implementation Plan will involve a governance structure that is a hybrid of existing staff and consulting resources, along with the Seeds Canada Board of Directors (through a Transition Committee). The day-to-day implementation work activities will be delivered by an Amalgamation Secretariat which will report to the Transition Committee and coordinate with the Executive Directors of the five amalgamating organizations.
As part of its responsibilities, the Seeds Canada Board of Directors will be tasked with ensuring the organization is in regulatory compliance and fulfilling its fiduciary duties.
How to Learn More and Ask Questions
Seed growers are encouraged to attend a CSGA Town Hall to hear from CSGA leaders and from other seed growers. This is your opportunity to discuss the amalgamation proposal, share your opinion and ask questions. The last sessions are on August 20 and 24. Register here.
To help you learn more, CSGA has prepared an information webinar on the proposed amalgamation. Listen to the video on our YouTube channel at a time that is most convenient for you, or even as you are out in the field!
SeedTALK is our interactive engagement web platform for you to share your thoughts on the Seeds Canada amalgamation proposal. Open to CSGA members only, SeedTALK allows all perspectives to be heard. Sign up now!
For more on Seeds Canada, including the Amalgamation Ratification Package and how to vote by August 27, visit seedgrowers.ca/seeds-canada-ratification.
