New Book Examines History Of United Grain Growers

Nov 14, 2019

A Winnipeg author has recently published a book looking at The Rise and Fall of United Grain Growers.

Paul Earl says he's been working on the book since 2004.

"The book tells the story of the company from 1906, when it was formed, through to 2007 when it disappeared," he explained. "The last third of the book actually examines the business of why it was sold and what happened."

Earl talked about a highlight from the book.

"I think the biggest challenge was coming up to the 1990's, when the whole grain handling system had to be rebuilt because it was very much out of date. That's when they sold shares to raise the money and it was quite a successful move for them and quite an innovative move."

Click here to see more...

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.