Canadian agri-businesses want to see economic sustainability and competitiveness at the heart of Canada's Next Policy Framework

TORONTO, - Canada's Next Policy Framework, aimed at strengthening and growing Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector, should lay out a clear roadmap to ensure farmers are competitive, productive and viable, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). 

Agriculture ministers will meet at the 2022 annual conference in July in Saskatoon. As they work on finalizing the policy framework, CFIB is urging all levels of government to focus on agri-businesses' top priorities, particularly reducing the total tax burden and red tape.

"Less than one-quarter of our agri-business members said the current five-year Canadian Agricultural Partnership was effective at improving the competitiveness of their agri-business. It is important new policies focus on ensuring agri-businesses' voices are heard, so that they are profitable and more competitive," said Jasmin Guenette, Vice-President of National Affairs at CFIB.

Agri-businesses are facing many challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. An overwhelming majority of agri-businesses (94%) said the rising prices of inputs have impacted their business, followed by supply chain challenges (83%) and government increasing business costs (72%). Labour shortages (57%) also pose difficulties.

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