Soy Canada shares progress at Annual General Meeting and confirms leadership
Ottawa – Soy Canada has confirmed that Jason McNaughton will continue as chairperson following its eighth Annual General Meeting that was held in Winnipeg and online this week. The meeting provided an opportunity to review progress made in the past year on the industry’s goals, as well as a window into what’s ahead for the Canadian soybean industry.
“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.”
Soy Canada members also welcomed a new board member, and confirmed the renewal of three board members for three-year terms:
- Scott Persall, nominated by Grain Farmers of Ontario;
- Jason McNaughton, nominated by Hensall Co-op, elected by food grade exporting members;
- Mark Jorgensen, nominated by Delmar Commodities, elected by processing members; and,
- Ramzy Yelda, nomination renewed by Producteurs de grains du Quebec.
During the AGM, the organization honoured former Chair and Director Mark Huston for his contributions to establishing Soy Canada and his years of leadership serving on the Board of Directors.
“It was a pleasure to work with Mark and an honour to congratulate him for his leadership in shaping the organization,” says McNaughton. “Mark brought a lot 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 2021-2022 year and outlining how the organization worked towards the goals set out the industry’s strategic plan. The report shares how the organization delivered value for members and the soybean industry through leadership and collaboration. From the Northern Soybean Summit on the expansion and quality of northern soybeans to its inaugural market access committee meeting on pesticide and seed technology, Soy Canada brought together all aspects of the industry to create value through collaboration. Through Soy Canada, the industry connected with hundreds of customers in Japan and Southeast Asia through online seminars and launched a modernized food-grade variety finder that promotes Canada’s world leading genetics. Soybean priorities were also kept front and centre with political leadership 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. Our membership is diverse, including small, medium and large businesses across the country. Created in 2014, we provide industry 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. Canada is a global leader in producing high quality, traceable, safe, and sustainable soybeans for world markets. Soybeans are among the top three most valuable crops in Canada, with 70% of production exported each year.
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For further information, please contact:
Brian Innes
Executive Director
Soy Canada
613-617-8483
binnes@soycanada.ca