The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) welcomes the appointment of its executive director, Michael Harvey, to the Government of Canada’s newly established Advisory Committee on Canada–U.S. Economic Relations, ahead of the 2026 Joint Review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney April 21 and to be chaired by Minister Dominic LeBlanc, the Advisory Committee includes leaders from business, labour, and industry and will serve as a forum to inform Canada’s economic and security engagement with the United States.
“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent Canada’s agri-food exporters on this Committee,” said Michael Harvey. “It presents our sector with an important opportunity to drive exporter priorities into action, including maintaining reliable cross-border trade, addressing emerging barriers, and strengthening the framework that underpins North American food production.”
CAFTA represents 90 per cent of Canada’s agri-food exporters, whose livelihoods depend on trade. With nearly $3.6 billion in goods and services crossing the Canada–U.S. border daily, that relationship is central to Canada’s competitiveness, export growth, and farm viability.
“As CUSMA discussions advance, it will be essential that Canada’s agri-food exporters have a strong voice at the table,” said Greg Northey, president of CAFTA. “The sector is counting on a clear focus on protecting market access, minimizing trade disruptions, and reinforcing the integrated nature of Canada–U.S. supply chains.”
Through this appointment, CAFTA will advance priorities on behalf of Canada’s export-dependent agri-food sector, including securing and strengthening market access under CUSMA, reducing non-tariff barriers, and reinforcing a stable and reliable trading environment.
Source : The Grower