b'Dale ConnellOwner, Connell SeedsPalmerston, Ont.How forming Seeds Canada makes Canada more com-petitive: We will have a bigger arena to operate within, with less isolation, more integration between people in the seed sector, more business models to pick from and a broader base for income and fees to cover overhead. There will be a bigger talent pool to draw from, and in the end perhaps new responsibilities with the possibility of implementing incorporation by reference into Canadas seed regulations. How we need a change in mindset for Seeds Canada to be successful: We will not be operating strictly with a grower business model anymore. Government loves the idea of taking every file they dont want to deal with and say, OK, its yours. We have to be prepared to operate in the new environment and effectively prioritize.Andr LussierOwner, Ferme HelyonSt. Hyacinthe, Que.How a 2018 trip to the Netherlands and France organ-ized by CSGA showed him how a national seed organi-zation would be effective: Those two countries have a central seed organization with all the stakeholders of the seed chain, a lot like what we are trying to implement in Canada. During this trip we met a lot of farmers and I asked every single one of them if they were happy with a joint organization. The answer was yes. They emphasized that the large seed companies have not taken control of the agenda, as some feared. Theres no reason why it would be different in Canada.Why disengagement among seed growers must be avoided with Seeds Canada in the picture: With CSGA, membership was automatic if you were using the ser-vices. With the new organization, you can choose to only pay for services and not pay for being a member. Many are scared that we will lose control of the organization. However, we have all the tools at our disposal to ensure this does not happen. My farm has the same number of votes as a large company. One business, one vote. We as seed growers can remain a driving force in the organiza-tion, but to vote you have to be a member. If we lose control, it will be by lack of involvement.Why French Canada doesnt have to worry about being left out of the picture: The interim board will have a critical job to maintain or even improve the bilingual nature of Seeds Canada. Im confident it will go the right way. This will be a national organization serving custom-ers in both official languages. SEPTEMBER 2020 GERMINATION.CA 11'