More than 14,295 dairy, poultry and egg farmers highlight the economic and food-security role of Canada’s supply-managed sectors.
Supply-managed dairy, poultry and egg sectors point to domestic food production, economic stability and food security during an Ottawa event
Canada’s dairy, poultry and egg farmers are putting a number on their contribution to the Canadian economy while making the case that domestic food production has an important role to play in the country’s food security.
Canada’s supply-managed dairy, poultry and egg sectors contribute $45.13 billion to national GDP and generate $14.86 billion in tax revenue annually, according to figures highlighted during the Downtown Diner event in Ottawa on October 27.
The event brought together farmers, Parliamentarians and members of the Ottawa community to discuss Canadian agriculture, locally produced food and the role of supply management.
Dairy Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Egg Farmers of Canada and the Canadian Hatching Egg Producers organized the pop-up event.
Together, the organizations represent more than 14,295 farmers across Canada.
Connecting food security with Canadian farms
For farmers involved in the event, the central message was that a dependable domestic source of dairy products, chicken, turkey and eggs contributes to a more stable Canadian food system.
Supply management regulates production of these commodities with the objective of balancing domestic production with Canadian demand. For the farm organizations gathered in Ottawa, that predictability is closely connected to both the economic sustainability of farms and the availability of domestically produced food.
The organizations said supply management provides a foundation for a reliable supply of Canadian food while supporting growth as well as animal welfare and food safety standards.
That argument takes on broader significance as consumers, farmers and governments consider how Canada can maintain a resilient domestic food supply.
Billions generated by supply-managed sectors
The economic footprint extends well beyond the farm gate.
The dairy, poultry and egg sectors collectively contribute $45.13 billion to Canadian GDP while generating $14.86 billion in annual tax revenue.
The five farm groups are using those figures to emphasize that policies affecting supply-managed agriculture have implications for the wider Canadian economy as well as farmers and food production.
The organizations also represent farms spread across Canada, meaning economic activity associated with these sectors reaches rural communities and regional economies across the country.
Bringing farmers directly to Parliamentarians
Rather than limiting the conversation to policy discussions, the Downtown Diner gave Parliamentarians and members of the public an opportunity to speak directly with farmers.
Guests were served snacks featuring fresh Canadian ingredients while farmers discussed their role in supplying Canadian food.
The event placed the producers themselves at the centre of discussions about agriculture and food security, reinforcing the participating organizations’ message to Canadians: “You can count on us.”
The farm organizations also released the latest edition of "The Farmers’ Times" in conjunction with the event. The publication profiles people involved in producing Canadian food and explores interest in Canadian-grown and Canadian-produced products.
For Canada’s supply-managed farmers, the larger message coming out of Ottawa was that food security is closely connected to maintaining a dependable domestic agricultural sector.
With more than 14,295 dairy, poultry and egg farmers producing food across the country, the organizations argue that Canadian farms remain an important foundation for keeping Canadian food on Canadian tables.