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Lawrence MacAulay’s mandate letter released

MacAulay is Canada’s new Minister of Agriculture

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Canada now has a better idea of the responsibilities of newly appointed Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released mandate letters, describing the duties and responsibilities the ministers need to fulfill.

“I am honoured that you have agreed to serve Canadians as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,” the letter begins.

“As Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, your overarching goal will be to support the agricultural sector in a way that allows it to be a leader in job creation and innovation,” the letter reads. “Canadian farmers, ranchers and food processors are the foundation of our food sector (and) government must use its policy and financial tools to support the agricultural sector in its vital work.”

The letter outlines nine of MacAulay’s most important priorities:

  • Invest in an Agri-Food Value Added Investment Fund to help attract investment and create jobs in food processing, providing technical and marketing assistance in the process
  • Develop a food policy that promotes healthy living and safe food by putting more Canadian-produced food on tables across the country
  • Invest in agricultural research to support science and innovation in the industry, and involve food producers in the process
  • Promote Canadian agricultural interests during trade negotiations
  • Work with producers and provincial governments to determine whether the farm income safety nets are enough to support Canadian farmers and implement a new multi-year policy to replace Growing Forward 2
  • Work with all willing partners to help the industry adapt to climate change and address water and soil conservation and development issues
  • Support the Minister of Transport in reviewing the Canadian grain transportation system
  • Support the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities to ensure investments in transportation infrastructure including short-line rail spurs and port loading terminals
  • Support the Ministers of Natural Resources and the Environment and Climate Change to make investments that will make resource sectors world leaders

MacAulay was appointed Minister of Agriculture after Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party defeated the Conservatives in October, ousting Gerry Ritz as Minister of Agriculture in the process.

Join the conversation and tell us your thoughts about the outlined priorities for the new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. What are some other priorities that need to be addressed in the agriculture industry?


Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

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