About Fireside Chats with Erin (Canada Grains Council Edition)
Join us for the reboot of Fireside Chats, now presented by the Canada Grains Council. In each episode, Erin engages in candid and insightful conversations with domestic and international agricultural insiders, influencers and policy makers. Exploring the latest trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the world of agriculture.
Fireside Chat with Nadia Theodore, Head of the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, UNCTAD, ITC and WIPO
Host Erin speaks with Nadia Theodore, Canada's Ambassador to the WTO, about global trade developments and Canada's evolving role on the world stage.
29 May 2025TRANSCRIPT
Fireside Chat with Elli Tsiforou, Secretary General of COPA-COGECA
Erin Gowriluk interviews Elli Tsiforou, Secretary General of COPA-COGECA, who shares her vision for the future of European agriculture, including digital transformation and cooperative leadership.
8 Apr 2025TRANSCRIPT
Fireside Chat with Carlo Dade, Nick McRoberts & Tyler McCann
In this timely episode, Erin Gowriluk is joined by Carlo Dade, Nick McRoberts, and Tyler McCann for a dynamic roundtable on the shifting landscape of agriculture and trade. From escalating tariffs to political posturing and growing Canada-U.S. tensions, the conversation dives deep into the policies and pressures shaping the sector.
Tune in for sharp insights, bold perspectives, and a behind-the-scenes look at what’s really at stake for Canadian agriculture on the global stage.
19 Mar 2025
Fireside Chat with Samira Amellal, CEO at CropLife Africa Middle East, for International Women's Day
In another special International Women’s Day episode, Erin Gowriluk speaks with a leading agricultural association and industry expert with over 20 years of experience in the Africa-Middle East region. From championing sustainable agriculture to navigating complex regulatory frameworks, she shares her insights on empowering smallholder farmers, fostering cross-cultural collaboration, and advancing science-based solutions. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the role of women in shaping the future of global agriculture and sustainable development.
13 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT
Grains of Truth: A Conversation with Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council
In another special episode, Erin Gowriluk speaks with Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, about the evolving landscape of global agriculture and trade, including the growing tensions between the U.S. and Canada. With a career spanning leadership in global agribusiness and international markets, Jim shares insights on sustainability, market access, and the future of U.S. soy in an increasingly complex trade environment. Tune in for a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping North American agriculture.
6 Mar 2025
Fireside Chat with Tessa Ritter and Leta LaRush for International Women's Day
In this special International Women's Day episode, Erin Gowriluk is joined by Tessa Ritter, Chair of the Canola Council of Canada, and Leta LaRush, Vice President of Business Management at BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions. Together, they discuss the evolving role of women in agriculture, leadership, and sustainability, as well as the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry today. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on breaking barriers, advocating for diversity, and leading with impact in agriculture.
20 Feb 2025TRANSCRIPT
Grains of Truth: A Conversation with David Salmonsen on Trade, Policy & U.S.-Canada Tensions
In another special episode, Erin Gowriluk sits down with David Salmonsen, Senior Director of Governmental Affairs at the American Farm Bureau Federation, to discuss the growing tensions between the U.S. and Canada in agriculture and trade policy. With decades of experience in government and advocacy, David shares insights on cross-border trade negotiations, regulatory challenges, and the future of North American agriculture. Tune in for an in-depth look at the policies shaping the industry and what they mean for farmers on both sides of the border.
13 Feb 2025
Grains of Truth: Candid conversations across the border with Alexandra Dunn, President & CEO of CropLife America
In this special episode, Erin Gowriluk speaks with Alex Dunn, President & CEO of CropLife America, about the growing tensions between the U.S. and Canada in agriculture and environmental policy. With decades of experience in government, law, and sustainability, Alex shares insights on regulatory challenges, cross-border collaboration, and the future of environmental stewardship. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on navigating complex policies in an evolving global landscape.
18 Dec 2024TRANSCRIPT
Fireside Chat with Carlo Dade, Director, Trade and Trade Infrastructure Centre, CWF
Carlo Dade, Director of the Trade and Trade Infrastructure Centre, shares expert insights on defending and advancing western Canadian trade interests and developing innovative solutions to major trade challenges.
21 Oct 2024
Fireside Chat with Goldy Hyder, President and CEO of the Business Council of Canada (BCC)
This this episode, Erin sits down with Goldy Hyder, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council of Canada (BCC), a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose membership is comprised of more than 170 chief executives and entrepreneurs of Canada’s leading and largest companies.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of Open Text Corporation and has a long track record of service on behalf of several charities and non-profit organizations, including the Coalition for a Better Future and the Business + Higher Education Round table.
https://canadagrainscouncil.ca/
18 Jul 2024
Fireside Chat with Teresa Babuscio, Head of Gov. and Industry Affairs – EMEA, Corteva Agriscience
In this episode, Erin sits down with Teresa Babuscio, Head of Government and Industry Affairs – EMEA, Corteva Agriscience.
3 Jun 2024
Fireside Chat with Manon Bombardier (PMRA)
In this episode, Erin sits down with Manon Bombardier (PMRA).
30 Apr 2024TRANSCRIPT
Fireside Chat with Lloyd Day, Deputy Director General of the IICA
In this episode, Erin sits down with Lloyd Day, Deputy Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).
27 Mar 2024
Fireside Chat with Diedrah Kelly, Executive Director - Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office
In this episode, Erin sits down with Diedrah Kelly, Executive Director of the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office, and Former Ambassador to ASEAN and Consul General in Mumbai.
Don't miss this great episode covering a range of topics on her office and Indo-Pacific Agriculture!
31 Jan 2024
Fireside Chat with Nadia Theodore, Ambassador of Canada to the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Erin sits down with Nadia Theodore, Ambassador of Canada to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Permanent Representative of Canada to the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva, Switzerland. The discussion covers the relationship between Canada and the EU, the WTO’s work on environmental issues, and Canada’s role in the global food system. Don’t miss this discussion on the complexities of the global food system!
1 Nov 2023
Fireside Chat with Ellen Smith from the USDA
In this episode, Erin sits down with Mary Ellen Smith, the Deputy Administrator of Foreign Affairs for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Join them as they dive deep into a variety of topics, tapping into Mary Ellen’s extensive experience in Moscow, The Hague, and Brussels. Together, they break down the complexities of the agricultural sector, offering insights into both domestic and foreign markets and trade policy initiatives. Tune in for what is sure to be an enlightening discussion.
10 Oct 2023
Special Mini-Series: Cultivating Innovation in European Farming (FRENCH)
For our French-speaking audience, don’t miss out on Erin’s engaging discussion with Christiane Lambert, the President, COPA. Tune in as they explore the world of farming innovation in an enlightening conversation conducted entirely in French.
10 Oct 2023
Special Mini-Series: Cultivating Innovation in European Farming
Join Erin for a special two-part mini-series on plant breeding innovation in the European Union. In this first episode, Erin sits down with Lennart Nilsson, a cereal farmer and Vice-Chairman of the Cereals Working Party, COPA-COGECA. Lennart shares his expertise and experiences, shedding light on why farmers across the EU are embracing and championing plant breeding innovation. For our French-speaking audience, don’t miss out on Erin’s engaging discussion with Christiane Lambert, the President, COPA. Tune in as they explore the world of farming innovation in an enlightening conversation conducted entirely in French.
15 Sept 2023
Fireside Chat with Emily Rees, President and CEO of CropLife International
This month, Erin is joined by Emily Rees, President and CEO of CropLife International. In this episode, they delve into the international landscape of agriculture and discuss opportunities for Canada to lead the industry. Tune in for an insightful and engaging conversation.
Inside a recent episode
Fireside Chat with Nadia Theodore, Head of the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva, Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, UNCTAD, ITC and WIPO
Published 6 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And that's going to be the focus of the first half of our conversation. But before we get into some specifics around the outcomes, or maybe the lack thereof, many of our listeners might be wondering, what is the ministerial conference? Who is involved? What are the objectives of this biennial meeting? And would you maybe set the stage for us and give us some sense of what these meetings are all about? Very, very happy to you. Quite simply, the Ministerial Conference, or what we like to call it, we like to say it's the MC, we use acronyms for everything, it really is fundamentally the highest decision-making body of the WTO. […]
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