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Trekking across Canada to invest in ag

Trekking across Canada to invest in ag

Multiple sectors received funding for research and development

By Kaitlynn Anderson
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Canada’s agricultural industry received a series of support over the past month.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s minister of agriculture and agri-food, completed the first part of his Growing Canadian Agriculture tour yesterday in Abbotsford, B.C.

“Over the past three weeks, I’ve had the honour of visiting the hardworking farmers right across this country,” Minister MacAulay said during a media conference yesterday.

Throughout the trip, the minister announced a series of investments in the industry.

At the beginning of the tour, the federal government provided $910,355 in funding to Fromagerie La Station, a cheese processor in Quebec. While in the province, Minister MacAulay also announced a $12.7 million investment for the Canadian swine sector.

Next, the minister visited New Brunswick to provide the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association with funding to undergo projects to increase the sector’s export capacity.

In early July, the minister visited Ontario to provide funding to the poultry, ginseng and wine sectors. On behalf of Minister MacAulay, Neil Ellis, the Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, also announced investments for the Grain Farmers of Ontario and Soy Canada.

As he ventured into Western Canada, Minister MacAulay participated in a pancake breakfast at the Calgary Stampede before announcing an investment of up to $14 million to support the Canadian beef industry.

Before ending the tour in B.C., the minister provided the Western Grains Research Foundation in Saskatchewan with up to $6.3 million for agronomy research.

These investments will help drive economic growth across the country.

“As we all know, farmers are the backbone of our communities and our economy. And agriculture, of course, is part of our future,” MacAulay said. “Our government recognizes agriculture as a core economic sector that will be part of Canada’s path to prosperity.”

During the press conference, Minister MacAulay discussed some of the concerns he heard from Canadian farmers on his journey.

When asked about the country’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the ag minister referenced his experiences growing potatoes in Prince Edward Island.

“I’m aware of the value of making sure you have workers,” he said. “We need to make sure we improve this process. And we will.”

Industry members also worry about the state of trade.

“We do not like tariffs by any means, but we have to live with the cards we’re dealt – and we are,” he said. “We’re very supportive of the approach … the government of Canada (is taking).”

Despite recently imposed tariffs, the minister seemed optimistic about the future.

The country will be able to attain its goal of exporting $75-billion worth of agri-food products by 2025, MacAulay said.

“When you look at the ratification of CETA and CPTPP in the house – and of course, we’re continually dealing with other countries around the world – we will reach and pass that target.”

Provincial, territorial and federal ag ministers will continue to discuss these issues this week, Minister MacAulay said.


 

Alex Belomlinsky/Digital Vision Vectors/Getty Images photo


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