Determine licence type
In Canada, grain dealers and primary, terminal and process elevator operators must be licensed or exempted from licensing by the Canadian Grain Commission. The Canadian Grain Commission determines if grain companies must be licensed according to the Canada Grain Act and the Canada Grain Regulations. If you deal in or handle grain and you’re not licensed or exempted by the Canadian Grain Commission, you may face prosecution.
Classes of grain company licences
The Canadian Grain Commission issues four classes of grain company licences.
1. Grain dealer licence
A grain dealer licence may be issued to a person or a company who, for reward, on their own behalf or on behalf of another person, deals in or handles western grain.
2. Primary elevator licence
A primary elevator licence may be issued to an operator of an elevator which primarily receives grain directly from producers, for either or both storage and forwarding.
3. Process elevator licence
A process elevator licence may be issued to an operator of an elevator which receives and stores grain for direct manufacture or processing into other products.
4. Terminal elevator licence
A terminal elevator licence may be issued to an operator of an elevator whose principal uses are the receiving of grain from another elevator and the cleaning, storing and treating of the grain before it is moved forward.
Security requirement
Licensed primary and process elevators and grain dealers must provide security to the Canadian Grain Commission. This security is used to compensate producers in the event they are not paid for the grain they deliver to a licensed person or company.
Accepted forms of grain company security