Canola tariffs hit hard as AgriStability program falls short: Sask Oilseeds

Mar 28, 2025

Saskatchewan farmers might not be getting the help they need after China slapped a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil.

Codie Nagy, vice-chair of Sask Oilseeds, said the federal government’s move to increase the cap on the AgriStability support program doesn’t go a long way to helping most farmers.

“It’s not the lifeline we’ve been waiting for,” he said during an appearance on the Evan Bray Show on Wednesday.

Part of the issue, Nagy explained, is that the program is “unpredictable.”

“The problem with the program is it’s so varied,” he said.

“It may have a benefit for one farm, but not a benefit at all for another.”

Nagy said there is also low uptake in the program, with only 30 per cent of farms registered for AgriStability, and the other 70 per cent receiving zero benefits unless they enrol before the end of April.

“It’s not a wide benefit for the agriculture sector,” he said.

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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.