SEPTEMBER 2018 GERMINATION.CA 13 CANADA’S SEED INDUSTRY has come together under the Seed Synergy Collaboration Project banner to col- lectively envision what a next-gener- ation seed system in Canada could look like. These organizations are: •  Canadian Seed Growers’ Association (CSGA) •  Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) • Canadian Seed Institute (CSI) • CropLife Canada •  Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA) •  Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC) The project’s goal: develop recommendations and implementa- tion plans that will enable a next- generation seed system. This system is meant to be a reformed, industry- led, government-enabled seed system that effectively attracts investment from businesses both large and small, fosters innovation, and delivers new and tailored seed traits to customers efficiently. INSIDETHESEED SYNERGYWINDOW We take a peek into what a next-generation seed regulatory system might look like for Canada. Feature written by Marc Zienkiewicz In Montreal, Quebec, in July, a Seed Synergy information session was hosted jointly by CSGA and CSTA to update members and get feedback on where the project is heading. A huge theme of Seed Synergy is the idea of a Single Window through which anyone and everyone involved in Canadian seed can access information. At the same time, the goal of Seed Synergy is to propose a next- generation seed system to the federal government — to be detailed in the form of a white paper anticipated this fall — in time for the government’s planned opening of the Seeds Act scheduled for 2020. It is this “window of opportunity” that the Seed Synergy partners seek to take advantage of. What follows is an attempt to give you, the reader, a glimpse into this window — both literally and figura- tively — and provide a clearer picture of Seed Synergy as it stands right now and as the industry awaits the arrival of the white paper. win·dow noun 1. an opening in a wall or screen through which customers are served in a bank, ticket office, or similar building 2. an interval or opportunity for action