Agriculture This Week: Healing wounds: Treaty Land Sharing Network builds bridges

Jun 09, 2023

YORKTON - We all need to be willing to change if the efforts of truth and reconciliation are going to heal old wounds and build a better foundation for our future.

Part of the process is recognizing what treaties are.

While I am in no way an expert I do recognize they are far more than the First Nations giving up their lands in exchange for small tracts of reserve land.

For many non-aboriginals it is sadly what they think the treaties were, although to be fair, given the history which shows treaties ignored and broken, it would be difficult to fully appreciate the documents. Even history taught in the classroom has been decidedly whitewashed for decades.

Clearly it is time for a change, and one small step in that effort seems to be the Treaty Land Sharing Network.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.