After reading this article about the remodelling of the Canadian Grain Commission, i’ve started thinking about the operations of the Commission. The Grain Commission itself is responsible for insuring the quality and safety of the grain produced by Canadian farmers, along with controlling farming regulations and carrying out farming related research. Until now the majority of the Commission’s operations have been funded by the federal government. But why the sudden change from federal funding, to private revenue gains through user fees? The large grain companies may have no problem paying the significant increase in fees, but many Canadian farmers will probably have a different story. 
In the article, the Grain Commission is quoted to admit that many of the operations are out of date, and the entire Commission desperately needs to be modernized. Certain ‘out of date and redundant’ operations are being dropped, but I think the Canadian Grain Commission needs to focus more on it’s operational efficiency and logistics to cut costs then the operational divisions. Sure it’s always a money saver to shut down useless inspection procedures, but instead of drastically increasing farmer fees to cover the costs, the Commission should focus on reducing the operating costs incurred. By overhauling the operational efficiency and logistics of the company, the Canadian Grain Commission may be able to keep the farmer’s and themselves in the money.