Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, discusses key initiatives like the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy and the Agricultural Clean Technology Program, highlighting how Canada is fostering sustainability and growth in its agricultural sector.
With the planned release of the Sustainable Agricultural Strategy by the end of 2024, what key objectives and initiatives can farmers expect, and how will this strategy help guide the future of sustainable farming practices in Canada?
A great deal of work has gone into the development of our Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, not only by government, but with the help of stakeholders from right across the sector, including producers, industry groups, environmental organizations, and Indigenous partners. Their insights have been absolutely essential in making sure the Strategy addresses the most pressing challenges facing the sector, but also their priorities. It will give us a roadmap that balances environmental and economic sustainability and keeps the sector strong for generations to come.
Agriculture plays a critical role in Canada’s efforts to lower emissions. What specific steps is the government encouraging within the agricultural sector to meet Canada’s emissions reduction goals, and how are farmers responding to these initiatives?
Farmers don’t need to be convinced that climate change is real – they’re facing the impacts directly. They want to keep their land healthy, productive, and resilient. As a government, we’re making historic investments so we can continue to be a reliable supplier and leading exporter of world-class products. Since 2021, we’ve invested $1.5 billion in a variety of programs and activities, like our Agricultural Clean Technology Program, Living Labs and our On-Farm Climate Action Program, aimed at helping producers reduce their on-farm emissions and grow their operations.
How are government programs supporting farmers in adopting new technologies to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability, and what impact have these programs had in the agricultural sector so far?
Our Agriculture Clean Technology program is one of the key initiatives that producers are taking advantage of. It helps them adopt green technologies, like efficient grain dryers and tools for precision agriculture, and to date, we’ve supported over 414 projects right across the country. Producers want to have access to the latest technologies to modernize their operations, reduce their emissions, and stay on the cutting edge. We know that cost can be a barrier and this program helps to get them on board.
Can you explain how the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is helping provinces tailor programs to meet local agricultural need?
Canada is a world leader in agriculture – thanks to the hardworking producers we have right across the country. When it comes to production, different regions have different needs and the provinces and territories design and deliver cost-shared programming through our Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreements. These programs could be anything from support to attract and retain agri-food workers in Ontario, to helping ranchers in Alberta adhere to the highest standards of beef production, or getting young people in Newfoundland and Labrador interested in agriculture.
Looking beyond 2024, what is the Ministry’s long-term vision for making Canada’s agricultural sector more sustainable, and how does the government plan to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship in agriculture?
There’s no doubt that an investment in the health of our land and in our producers is an investment in the future of the sector and our food security. Floods, fires, and droughts have had a direct impact on our producers and are a direct result of climate change. They cause production losses and drive up costs – both for farmers and Canadians. On top of that, our customers around the world are looking for top-quality, sustainable products. Last year, our agriculture and seafood exports reached nearly $100 billion. The demand is growing and we want to be the ones to meet it. There is no better incentive to taken action on climate change than that.
