For the first time ever, the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) will be holding its Annual General Meeting online. Log in on Wednesday, July 15 from 1-3:30 p.m. to hear remarks from CSTA’s president and staff members, along with an extensive discussion of the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project and consolidation vote.

“Throughout the pandemic, CSTA has been in close contact with government officials to keep the seed industry top of mind and ensure that the movement of seed is considered essential,” said CSTA president Georges Chaussé in an online statement. “CSTA took quick, decisive action to focus on members’ wellbeing and cancel our in-person annual meeting in Winnipeg. We did not make this decision lightly. We know that members look forward to reconnecting with colleagues, friends, and family every summer.”

Chaussé says that in planning the virtual annual meeting, the focus was on member engagement. Although the 97th annual AGM will look and feel a little different, he says there will be many opportunities for discussion and feedback as members gather virtually in the coming weeks.

The meeting is historic in that not only is it the first time that it is being held online – it is possibly the final meeting of the CSTA, if members vote to consolidate with five other organizations to form a new seed organization through the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project.

Seed Synergy Collaboration Project

The Seed Synergy Collaboration Project represents a combined effort of Canadian Seed Growers’ Association, the Canadian Seed Trade Association, the Canadian Seed Institute, the Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada, the Canadian Plant Technology Agency and CropLife Canada.

In his Industry Update session at the 2020 CAAR Conference, Eric Gregory – CSTA’s liaison to the CAAR board of directors – said that the goal the project, which has been in the discussion stage since 2016, is to keep the Canadian seed trade competitive within the global community and foster innovation.

The move to consolidate the groups will be decided on by members at the CSTA’s AGM on July 15. Details will be sent directly to CSTA members explaining how and when to vote. If you have any questions about eligibility or the voting procedure, please contact the CSTA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CSTA Committee Meetings

In addition to viewing the AGM, members can also access an enhanced schedule of committee meetings, taking place between July 6 through 15. The meetings will follow the theme of “Past, Present, Future” and will be presented in the style of a podcast. Members will be able to access each session via a Zoom link – check the CSTA site for more detail.

Click here for the full Committee Schedule