Canadian Agricultural Partnership: A Cornerstone for the Continued Growth of a Key Economic Sector

Canada’s agriculture and food system is a leading producer of high-quality, safe products and a key driver of the country’s economic growth

The Government of Canada understands the importance of this sector in creating good, middle-class jobs, while growing the economy, and is committed to working with farmers, ranchers and processors to ensure its continued innovation, growth and prosperity.

“I am incredibly proud to announce that the Canadian Agricultural Partnership has officially launched and all that it promises for our great sector,” stated Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. “Our goal is to help Canadian farmers, ranchers and processors compete successfully in markets at home and around the globe, through this strong collaboration between provincial, territorial and federal governments.”

“I believe we’ve matched the needs of the sector with the Partnership’s programs, and are on the path to collective success”

 

April 1st marked the official launch of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a progressive $3-billion commitment that will help chart the course for government investments in the sector over the next five years. The Partnership aims to continue to help the sector grow trade, advance innovation while maintaining and strengthening public confidence in the food system, and increase its diversity.

“Canadian farmers are depending on the Partnership to deliver programs that help them grow their businesses through research, marketing and operational support, and protect their livelihoods through risk management programs,” added Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture of British Columbia. “Through the teamwork and effort of government and stakeholders across the country, I believe we’ve matched the needs of the sector with the Partnership’s programs, and are on the path to collective success.”

Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments have been working collaboratively since 2016 to develop the next agricultural policy framework, the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. FPT governments consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, including producers, processors, indigenous communities, women, youth, and small and emerging sectors to ensure the Partnership was focused on the issues that matter most to them.

The Partnership includes $1 billion for federal activities and programs, and $2 billion in cost-shared programs delivered by provinces and territories on a 60:40 basis. Program details and applications were launched for the six federal programs on February 13th and include: AgriMarketing, AgriCompetitiveness, AgriScience, AgriInnovate, AgriDiversity and AgriAssurance.

In addition, under the Partnership, business risk management (BRM) programs will continue to help producers manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and are beyond their capacity to manage.

In addition to the $3 billion investment in strategic initiatives under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, farmers will continue to have access to a robust suite of BRM programs. Changes to BRM programs are in effect for the 2018 program year.

Ministers of Agriculture will convene in Vancouver this July for the Annual Meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture.

source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada