Clarification Regarding National Post Article Referencing the Canadian Beef Grading Agency (CBGA)
Calgary, AB – August 5, 2025 – The CBGA wishes to clarify misrepresentations made in a recent National Post article titled “Why Your Steaks Suck This Summer”
While Amanda Bennett, Executive Director of CBGA, did provide technical input on specific regulatory distinctions between Canadian and U.S. grading systems, her comments were inaccurately contextualized in the article.
Specifically, the article incorrectly stated that Ms. Bennett “echoed” statements from another contributor that:
“The U.S. system… includes more detailed carcass maturity assessments and broader use of branded programs like Certified Angus Beef. Canada’s system is more standardized, while the U.S. approach is more market-driven and fragmented, especially at the premium end.”
This mischaracterizes both her input and the position of the Canadian Beef Grading Agency.
“To be clear, I did not endorse or support such statements. I outlined regulatory similarities and differences — such as marbling standards, yield classes, maturity classifications and off grades— but at no time did I characterize one system as more detailed or more market-responsive than the other,” said Bennett.
In fact, Canada employs robust maturity assessments and supports a wide range of market-driven branded programs certified by CBGA — some of which are the same in both Canada and the United States (e.g., Certified Angus Beef & Sterling Silver).
Canadian quality and yield grades are aligned with U.S., and CBGA engages in continuous cross-border collaboration to ensure grading consistency and correlation year-over-year.
Ms. Bennett was not offered an opportunity to review or approve attributed statements prior to publication. CBGA has requested that a correction or clarification be issued to ensure the public record accurately reflects the Agency’s contribution.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Amanda Bennett
Executive Director, Canadian Beef Grading Agency
cbga@beefgradingagency.ca (403) 274-0301
