The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) wrapped up its 2026 Conference and Annual General Meeting in Ottawa, bringing growers, government leaders, industry leaders, and partners together under the theme Owning Our Future. 

A major focus of this year’s AGM was FVGC’s ongoing strategic review, which is aimed at strengthening the link between member priorities and FVGC’s national influence.

Discussions throughout the week reinforced a shared commitment to keep the organization focused, aligned, and ready to deliver results for growers in a rapidly changing operating environment.
 

“Growers are navigating real risk every day, and the decisions made in Ottawa have real consequences on farms,” said Marcus Janzen, president of FVGC. “This week was about listening to members, shaping the future direction of FVGC, and ensuring effective collaboration as we move forward.”
 

FVGC was pleased to welcome the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and members of his staff at the Welcome Reception, where they connected directly with delegates. The Minister also invited FVGC’s Board and Working Group Chairs to a roundtable conversation on the Next Policy Framework for agriculture, held on March 12, 2026.

Two panels anchored policy discussions at the Conference. On Monday, March 9, FVGC hosted Regulation, Risk, and Resilience: Bridging Federal Policy and Grower Experience, featuring senior federal officials from AAFC, CFIA, and PMRA alongside FVGC members to discuss how regulatory and policy decisions translate into day-to-day realities on farms. On Thursday, March 12, FVGC hosted Parliamentary Perspectives on Regulatory Reform, Food Security, and Competitiveness, bringing together MPs from multiple parties to discuss the AGRI Committee’s report on regulatory reform and how its key recommendations can be advanced for real results for growers.

Coming out of the AGM, FVGC remains focused on advancing its policy priorities, including applying a food lens to federal decision-making, improving Business Risk Management, ensuring labour stability, maintaining access to effective crop protection tools, supporting greenhouse investment, and protecting trade competitiveness for Canada’s fruit and vegetable sector.

FVGC released its 2025 Annual Report at the Conference and AGM as well. The report is available on FVGC’s website.

Members also elected FVGC’s Board of Directors for the coming term, including new representation to help guide the organization’s work ahead. The Board of Directors is as follows:

President – Marcus Janzen, BC
1st Vice-President – Russ Van Boom, AB
2nd Vice-President – Quinton Woods, ON
Chair, Finance – Janet Parker, NS
British Columbia – Ray Biln, Nirmal Dhaliwal
Prairies – Dave Buhler
Ontario – Shawn Brenn
Québec – Pascal Forest, Jocelyn Gibouleau
Atlantic – John Visser

Source: Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada March 12, 2026 news release