New ministers may find themselves working with the ag industry
Lawrence MacAulay is still Canada’s minister of agriculture following Prime Minister Trudeau’s Dec. 20 cabinet shuffle.
In total, eight new MPs became cabinet ministers, some of whom may find themselves engaged with the ag sector.
Terry Duguid, the Manitoba MP for Winnipeg South, for example, became the minister of Sport and the minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan).
Last month, former PrairiesCan Minister Dan Vandal announced $10 million for ag projects in Saskatchewan.
These include almost $2 million for Simpson Seeds to support a new lentil flour processing facility in Moose Jaw, and more than $1 million for Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada to provide business services and assistance to the ag manufacturing sector.
In October, on behalf of Minister MacAulay, Duguid announced up to $7.3 million in funding for Cereals Canada to increase market access and for other work.
Ruby Sahota, left, and Terry Duguid.
Another new minister the ag community may work with is Ruby Sahota.
The Ontario MP for Brampton North became the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev).
In July of this year, the agency invested more than $18 million to support eight food manufacturers in Ontario.
And in 2022, FedDev supported Ontario Genomics with $5.6 million for its BioCreate program, which helps businesses in ag and tech bring new products to market.
Other ministers picked up additional portfolios that could intersect with agriculture.
Anita Anand became the minister of Transport and Internal Trade.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, for example, has identified ways to improve internal trade to support farmers and consumers.