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FVGC's 2025 AGM Sets Direction for Advocacy, Trade, and Election Readiness

The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) concluded its 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Quebec City yesterday, bringing together growers, industry leaders, and policymakers under the theme A Fresh Approach: Setting Goals, Achieving Success. This year’s AGM reinforced FVGC’s commitment to advocating for Canada’s fruit and vegetable sector as it navigates critical challenges, from the threat of US tariffs to the opportunities presented by the upcoming federal election.

 

As uncertainty surrounding trade, food security, and the upcoming election grows, FVGC is reinforcing its advocacy efforts on multiple fronts—from ensuring fair market access to equipping growers with tools to engage policymakers.

With an election on the horizon, FVGC is strengthening its advocacy efforts to ensure fruit and vegetable growers’ voices are heard in Ottawa. “The policies shaped by the next federal government will have lasting impacts on food security, trade, and the sustainability of the Canadian fruit and vegetable sectors,” said Marcus Janzen President of FVGC. “We are committed to working with policymakers to ensure they understand the challenges and opportunities facing fruit and vegetable growers and the essential role they play in feeding Canadians.”With growing uncertainty around international trade and potential tariff threats, FVGC reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and industry partners to safeguard Canadian growers’ competitiveness and secure fair trade policies. Discussions at the AGM centered on strategies to protect the sector from trade disruptions, strengthen food security and ensure fair market access.

“We need strong, proactive policies that protect Canadian fruit and vegetable growers from the ripple effects of international trade disputes,” said Janzen. “Our industry is a key pillar of Canada’s food security, and we will continue to push for solutions that support our growers and consumers alike.”

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2024 AGM Day 1 Panel - Succession Planning & Risk Management

Video: 2024 AGM Day 1 Panel - Succession Planning & Risk Management

Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Agriculture indicates that 75% of all farms operating in Canada operate as sole proprietorships or family partnerships. While incorporated farms make up just over a third of Canadian farm operations most of those are also family-run corporations. If the issue of farm succession planning is not on the minds of Canadian farm producers, it probably should be. That same Statistics Canada Census of Agriculture indicates that the average age of a Canadian farmer is 56 years of age with the 55 plus age group becoming the fastest growing segment in Canadian agriculture.

Despite these statistics, the same Census reports that only 1 in 10 Canadian farm operations have a formal succession plan. While each farm has its unique issues when it comes to transferring the business to the next generation, there are some common topics that almost all farmers must address. Join financial, legal, and tax experts to learn about how to begin the process, key tips on ensuring a smooth transition from one generation to the next, and how to manage the strong emotions the topic can create within the family.