Soy Canada shares progress at Annual General Meeting and confirms leadership
June 19, 2023, Ottawa, Ontario – The Soy Canada board of directors has confirmed that Jason McNaughton will continue as chairperson following its ninth Annual General Meeting that was held in Deerhurst, Ontario and online last week. The meeting included the publication of the 2022-23 Annual Report that outlines how improved market access, a record setting Indo-Pacific mission and a coordinated vision on research is propelling the industry forward.
“I’m honoured to continue serving as chair of Soy Canada,” says Jason McNaughton. “Our soybean industry has a proud past, and as a board we’re excited about what the industry can accomplish.”
Joining McNaughton on the executive are Melvin Rattai as vice chair and Michelle Wall as Secretary -Treasurer.
Soy Canada members also welcomed two new board members, and confirmed the renewal of four board members for three-year terms:
- Dale Heide, nominated by Delmar Commodities, elected by processing members;
- Andrea Faubert, nominated by Corteva Agriscience, elected by seed company members;
- Jeff Stonehouse, nominated by Andersons Canada, renewed by commodity exporting members;
- Scott Persall, nomination renewed by Grain Farmers of Ontario;
- Winston van Staveren, nomination renewed by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers; and,
- Ernie Sirski, nomination renewed by Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers.
During the AGM, the organization honoured three departing board members serving on the Board of Directors, including Jeff Loessin, Mark Jorgensen and former chair Ernie Sirski.
“It is an honour to recognize Ernie for his leadership in making Soy Canada what it is today,” says McNaughton. “Ernie brought a strong Western voice to the board table and contributed a lot to our work in Canada and abroad, he will be missed.”
Soy Canada presented its Annual Report at the AGM, sharing the highlights of the 2022-2023 year and outlining how the organization will support the industry in the future. The report shares how the organization delivered value for members and the soybean industry through leadership and collaboration. From the record setting mission to the Indo-Pacific to the numerous member engagement events that helped shape the future of the organization and the industry, Soy Canada brought together all aspects of the sector to create value through collaboration. The industry took a substantial step forward with the launch of the Sustainable Canadian Soy program and charted a promising course forward for future research. Soybean priorities were also kept front and centre with through advocacy on container service and biofuel. You can read the full report here.
Soy Canada is a national value-chain organization for the soybean sector, including seed companies, growers, exporters, and processors. Membership is diverse, including small, medium and large businesses across the country. Created in 2014, Soy Canada provides leadership on issues affecting the growth and profitability of the soybean sector, coordinate research efforts across the value chain and across the country, as well as lead on market access and market development efforts.
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For additional information, contact:
Brian Innes
Executive Director, Soy Canada
613-617-8483
binnes@soycanda.ca