Grains on Tap

Welcome back to our last episode of the season!  As Parliament wraps up, major decisions loom for Canada’s grain sector. From shifting global trade dynamics, to transportation pressures at home, to growing uncertainty in key export markets, producers are navigating a landscape that’s evolving by the day. In this episode, we sit down with the Honourable Buckley Belanger, newly elected Member of Par...

Grains on Tap is back with a new episode. With Parliament deep into a busy sitting and major decisions ahead for Canada’s grain sector, the policy landscape is shifting fast. From uncertainty in key export markets, to infrastructure pressures at home, to the upcoming 2026 CUSMA review, grain farmers are facing a pivotal moment for long-term competitiveness. In this episode, we sit down with Member...

After a busy few weeks on Parliament Hill, Grains on Tap is back with another episode. With Budget 2025 now tabled and parliamentarians deep into the fall sitting, grain farmers are watching a fast-moving policy landscape. From escalating trade tensions to stalled infrastructure priorities, it is a critical moment for Canada’s grain sector. Joining us this week is David Bexte, the newly elected Me...

After a quick summer break, Grains on Tap is back with another episode! As harvest commences across the country, Canada’s barley is once again in the spotlight. From global trade dynamics to changing consumer trends, the future of malting barley and beer has never been more important to farmers, brewers, and drinkers alike. Joining us this week is Peter Watts, Managing Director of the Canadian Mal...

Grains on Tap is back with another episode! With parliamentarians set to return home over the summer months, key decisions are still unfolding that could shape the future of Canada’s grain sector, from rising tariffs and aging infrastructure to legislation that could limit future trade deals. Joining us this week is Member of Parliament Randy Hoback, a longtime advocate for agriculture and interna...

Grains on Tap is back with a new episode! As we approach the end of the federal election, the stakes for Canadian grain farmers continue to rise — from tariffs imposed by China, to uncertainty in the U.S. market, to domestic policies such as the carbon tax and capital gains tax increase. To break it all down, we’re joined by recently appointed Senator Todd Lewis, a fourth-generation grain farmer f...

Grains on Tap is back for Season 2! Since the end of the last season in December, things have dramatically changed in Ottawa. From the proroguing of Parliament and Prime Minister Trudeau stepping down, to the widespread threat of tariffs from the new U.S. administration, to the swearing in of a new Prime Minister and the start of a federal election. We have a lot to discuss and to kick things off,...

Welcome back to Grains on Tap! In this special episode, we’re doing something a little different by interviewing our guest entirely in French. This month, we crack a beer with Yves Perron, MP for Berthier-Maskinongé and the Bloc Québécois’ spokesperson for agriculture, agri-food, and supply management. From his journey as a history teacher to his role as Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Agricult...

We’re back with another episode of Grains on Tap! As Parliament tackles key legislative priorities, we’re turning our focus to the policies shaping Canadian agriculture. This episode, we’re joined by Senator Rob Black, who is known as the “Agriculture Senator” for his understanding of the agricultural sector and his steadfast commitment to advocating for Canadian farmers. In this episode, we dive...

We're back with another episode of Grains on Tap!    With Parliament now in full swing, we’re excited to dive into the latest issues at the heart of agriculture and politics. Joining us this episode is Senator Colin Deacon, a strong advocate for competition and a continued champion for grain farmers in the Senate.   In this episode, we explore key issues that are impacting producers across the cou...

We're back with another episode of Grains on Tap!    We’re excited to dive into the latest in agriculture and politics as Members of Parliament and Senators return to Ottawa. Our guest is no stranger to agriculture. Kody Blois, Member of Parliament for Kings-Hants in Nova Scotia and Chair of the House of Commons Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee, joins us for an insightful conversation. We’re co...

We're back with another episode of Grains on Tap! This week, we're excited to have CJ Hélie, President of Beer Canada, join us for a conversation that goes beyond just raising a glass. With over 25 years in the Canadian beverage alcohol industry, CJ brings a wealth of experience, representing brewers who purchase more than 300,000 tonnes of Canadian grain annually. From the crucial relationship be...

We're back with another episode of Grains on Tap!   This week, we're joined by Erin Gowriluk, President of the Canada Grains Council and former Executive Director of Grain Growers of Canada. With over a decade of experience in agriculture policy, Erin has been a strong advocate for grain farmers through her various roles.   In this episode, Erin shares her insights from her time at GGC and her cur...

Welcome back to Grains on Tap, where Canadian agriculture policy and craft beer intersect.   We're joined by Francis Drouin, Member of Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Ontario and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. Since taking office in 2015, Francis has been a fervent supporter of farmers and a proponent of economic development in rural communitie...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Grains on Tap, the podcast where the world of Canadian agriculture policy meets craft beer. Our journey through the corridors of power and the fields of grain begins with a special guest, Branden Leslie, Member of Parliament for Portage-Lisgar and a proud alumnus of the Grain Growers of Canada. Branden, a native of Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, brings a wealth o...