On Tuesday, the federal government introduced in the House of Commons the Modernization of Canada's Grain Industry Act.

The bill will build on major reforms made in 2012.

One of the changes would allow the Canadian Grain Commission to establish a producer compensation fund to protect producers in the event that a licensee fails to pay for grain deliveries.

Producer access to binding determination of grade and dockage for their deliveries of grain will be extended to include process elevators, grain dealers, and container loading facilities.

A new class of license will also be created for container loading facilities.

"Canadian grain farmers drive our economy and this is one of the many ways we are modernizing the sector to make it more competitive," said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "This legislation will continue to modernize the organizations that support the Canadian grain sector and enhance Canada's excellent reputation around the world as a supplier of consistent, safe and high-quality grains."

These changes are part of our Government's ongoing reform of the grain sector, which includes regulatory modernization, investments in science and research and an aggressive trade and market access agenda.

Other grain sector reforms were included in the Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act in 2011 and the Fair Rail for Grain Farmers Act this year.