Investing in Our Future: The Case for Alberta Canola’s Service Charge Adjustment 

Investing in Our Future: The Case for Alberta Canola’s Service Charge Adjustment 
A letter from Karla Bergstrom, Executive Director, Alberta Canola  

Dear Alberta Canola Growers, 

As Christmas draws near, it’s a time to reflect on the year we’re leaving behind and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. While December is a time for family, tradition, and celebration, it’s also when growers begin to finalize plans for the growing season ahead. To support the success of all Alberta canola growers this coming year and beyond, I’m reaching out to ask for your participation in a crucial decision for Alberta Canola. 

At our Annual General Meeting this January, we will be asking members to support an important resolution to increase Alberta Canola’s refundable service charge from $1 per tonne to $1.75 per tonne. 

This is the first increase we’ve proposed in over two decades, and it’s one that your Alberta Canola board has carefully considered over the past year. 

The decision to ask for a service charge increase was not taken lightly. Our Board of Directors reached this proposal only after a comprehensive evaluation, including independent financial analysis, rigorous forecasting, and ongoing dialogue with growers like you.  

Why now? 

The last time Alberta Canola raised its service charge was in 2003. Since then, agricultural operating costs have surged, research funding from public sources has dropped dramatically, and the regulatory environment has intensified. Meanwhile, canola production in Alberta has flattened by 25% from its 2017 peak. These pressures have created a tough reality: Alberta Canola has faced budget deficits in five of the past six years. We’ve made cuts, increased efficiency, and stretched every dollar to protect our programs, but to maintain our core mission, our growers now need to act. 

Where Will This Support Go? 

The additional funding will enable us to strengthen four primary pillars that directly benefit Alberta growers:  

1. Research Expansion – We aim to tackle production challenges head-on with grower-driven research, improving yields and farming practices. 

2. Advocacy – Increasing our voice in government relations is critical. We need policies that reflect real on-farm conditions and allow Alberta growers to remain competitive. 

3. Member Engagement – From meeting locally to hosting training sessions to providing extensive resources, we’re dedicated to being accessible, engaged and responsive to your needs. 

4. Consumer Awareness – Enhancing the visibility of canola, both locally and nationally, will support demand and build a stable market for our crop. 

A Balanced Approach 

We’ve been transparent throughout this journey. We worked with a management consulting firm to review our financial health and weigh different service charge options. They concluded that without a service charge increase, Alberta Canola’s long-term viability would be compromised. A $1.75/tonne rate strikes a balance, covering our operational needs and enabling us to make targeted investments, while also reducing the likelihood of further rate increases in the near future.  

Your Voice Matters 
I’m grateful for the many Alberta growers who have engaged with us throughout the year, whether at a Grower Engagement Meeting (GEM), through our surveys or by reaching out personally to express their views. Your support, ideas, and questions are critical to our continuing to build an organization that reflects your priorities and needs. 

As we gather with loved ones this Christmas and look to the new year with hopes for success and prosperity, please take a moment to reflect on the future we’re building together for Alberta’s canola growers. Alberta Canola exists to support you, and we’re committed to working with you to ensure Alberta remains a leader in sustainable, profitable canola production.  

Your investment in Alberta Canola will help Alberta growers thrive despite today’s challenges. From finding solutions for crop diseases like blackleg, and clubroot, to advocating for practical policies that address on-farm realities, to expanding marketing efforts that strengthen canola’s position in markets at home and beyond, Alberta Canola’s work has a direct impact on your farm. 

This January, please help us make Alberta Canola sustainable for years to come. By attending the AGM in person or online, you’ll have the chance to vote on this resolution and help guide the future of our organization.  

I look forward to seeing you in January to continue this conversation. Warmest wishes for a joyous Christmas season and a prosperous New Year, 

Karla Bergstrom 
Executive Director, Alberta Canola