Farm groups push Ottawa to prioritize agriculture amid uncertainty

MANITOBA CO-OPERATOR — Keystone Agricultural Producers and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture want governments to consider agriculture more often when setting priorities.

They are ramping up pressure on governments to prioritize agriculture in trade, regulation and disaster response as farmers face worsening drought and mounting financial strain.

Agriculture needs to be front and centre in Ottawa’s economic strategy under the new Carney-led Liberal government, said Brodie Berrigan, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA)’s director of government relations and farm policy.

“We’re trying to put in the window some low-cost, no-cost initiatives that we think would advance the interests of the sector,” he said, noting Ottawa has indicated there will be little new spending in the fall budget.

The CFA’s pitch to government, which Berrigan shared at the July advisory council meeting of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) on July 23, highlights regulatory streamlining and legislative changes aimed at boosting productivity and investment without significant cost to government. It also pushes Ottawa to view agriculture as a long-term economic driver, rather than a short-term budgetary expense.

“In terms of GDP growth, we estimate upwards of an additional $100 billion over the next 10 years could come out of the agriculture sector with the right investment, streamlining of regulations and investment in innovation,” Berrigan said.

A united agricultural voice

This vision is part of the CFA’s new Let’s Grow Canada initiative, an open letter signed by more than 30 national farm and industry groups, urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to make agriculture a federal priority.

Still, producers are dealing with immediate financial realities, including declining net income, rising operating costs and debt-servicing pressures.

“We cannot dismiss the fact that there is a strong need out there,” Berrigan said.

Delayed meetings, urgent issues

Federal and provincial agriculture ministers were scheduled to meet in Winnipeg during the third week of July, but the session was postponed due to wildfire conditions and the need for hotel rooms to house evacuees. Stakeholders still gathered, however, and will deliver a joint industry presentation when ministers reconvene in September, Berrigan said.

Risk management programs, including AgriStability and disaster assistance, are set to be a central focus at next summer’s federal-provincial-territorial ministers’ meeting in Halifax.

“We have about a six-month window in front of us to solidify our direction,” Berrigan said, pointing to new CFA working groups on disaster recovery, crop insurance and income support.

Trade uncertainty and CUSMA review

The impending 2026 review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), as well as a possible bilateral deal between Canada and the U.S., has also been on the minds of CFA and KAP members.

“If Canada is successful in securing an agreement, it is more likely to be a bilateral one with the U.S. and a framework agreement,” Berrigan said, though he added that he hasn’t been encouraged by talk by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding imposing new baseline tariffs on Canadian goods.

While 98.4 per cent of Canadian agricultural exports to the U.S. currently enter duty-free under CUSMA, Berrigan warned that even a 10 per cent tariff would be “catastrophic.”

Domestic trade and legislative reforms

KAP and CFA are also eyeing interprovincial trade barriers. Colin Hornby, KAP’s general manager, pointed to Manitoba’s new Bill 47 and federal Bill C-5 as openings to push for greater trade harmonization across provinces.

KAP’s recent trade action plan calls for “low-hanging fruit” legislative reforms and outlined sector-specific priorities, such as enhancing export capacity and investing in water and research infrastructure, said KAP Policy manager Neil Van Overloop.

Building alliances abroad

International engagement remains more important than ever, Berrigan said, noting the CFA’s growing ties to the American Farm Bureau and ongoing collaboration with the World Farmers’ Organization and G7 agricultural leaders.

“A strong voice south of the border speaking for the same interests that we have in Canada is a very, very important partnership to continue to foster,” he said.

As part of its international outreach, CFA is preparing for trilateral discussions with U.S. and Mexican counterparts in Italy this fall and upcoming World Trade Organization events.

About the author

Miranda Leybourne

Reporter

Miranda Leybourne is a Glacier FarmMedia reporter based in Neepawa, Manitoba with eight years of journalism experience, specializing in agricultural reporting. Born in northern Ontario and raised in northern Manitoba, she brings a deep, personal understanding of rural life to her storytelling.

A graduate of Assiniboine College’s media production program, Miranda began her journalism career in 2007 as the agriculture reporter at 730 CKDM in Dauphin. After taking time off to raise her two children, she returned to the newsroom once they were in full-time elementary school. From June 2022 to May 2024, she covered the ag sector for the Brandon Sun before joining Glacier FarmMedia. Miranda has a strong interest in organic and regenerative agriculture and is passionate about reporting on sustainable farming practices. You can reach Miranda at [email protected].