The government proposes $4.3 million to the CFIA over three years
Mentions of agriculture are few and far between in the federal government’s 2024 Fall Economic Statement (FES).
Government House Leader Karina Gould tabled the document in the House of Commons on Dec. 16 following Chrystia Freeland’s resignation as minister of finance that morning.
The word “agriculture” appears six times in the 279-page document.
The first two times are in a section detailing how the government is using AI solutions to support farmers.
“Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is using a generative AI chatbot, AgPal Chat, to provide tailored information to farmers and agribusinesses on the more than 400 agriculture and agri-food programs and services available to them,” the FES says.
Another mention of ag is in a section of the FES related to biofuels.
“Biofuels will create good jobs in agriculture and forestry while aiding the decarbonization of critical sectors like marine, aviation, rail, and heavy industry,” the document says.
The FES proposes supporting ag to reduce trade barriers within Canada.
The federal government proposed providing $4.3 million to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency over three years beginning in 2025-26, “to advance mutual recognition in the agriculture and agri-food sector and support businesses in building capacity to meet federal regulations and expand trade across the country.”
The fifth time the FES includes agriculture is in proposing amendments to the Farm Credit Canada Act to ensure it and other Crown Corporations are properly supporting Canadians and individual sectors – including ag.
“Collectively, these improvements will allow for a more efficient use of public capital, ensuring that Canadian businesses, exporters, and farmers have the financing they need to support job creation and economic growth.
The final time agriculture is mentioned is that Canada is the top importer of U.S. agriculture products.