Farmers feel underrepresented federally
Prime Minister Carney has a mandate to lead the country, but the country is quite divided, and much of the agriculture industry feels alienated.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre have both pledged cooperation on key issues like U.S. tariffs. As the new government takes office, the agriculture industry awaits action that brings clarity and confidence.
A recent survey titled “Understanding Farmer Priorities”, conducted by the Simpson Centre and Stratus Ag Research, collected insights from 979 farmers across the country just before the election.
The survey report underscores the fact that agriculture remains a vital sector, contributing nearly $150 billion to Canada's GDP and supporting more than 2.3 million jobs. It points out, however, that farmers feel increasingly alienated from federal policy decisions, despite agriculture’s importance to food security, environmental care, and rural communities.
Interestingly, 906 of 979 farmers said they voted in the last federal election, and 942 intended to vote again, showing their strong political engagement.
Of the surveyed farmers, 69.15% said the Conservative Party of Canada best represents their interests. The Liberal Party followed with 15.32%. Commodities growers like poultry, hogs, beef, and field crops showed over 70% support for the CPC, revealing strong Conservative backing in the sector.
When asked about top policy priorities, the most selected issue was “Trade and Market Access”, chosen by 79.16% of respondents. This shows strong demand for improved international trade and fewer barriers, especially in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Farmers also highly supported tax relief and financial support (58.84%), as well as regional needs like sector risk management and supply management protections—especially in Quebec and British Columbia.
The agriculture industry is feeling overwhelmed and does not feel supported by government, yet the industry’s future depends heavily on the government’s next steps. The agriculture community recognizes that there are many issues for the new government to tackle, we hope the agriculture industry is recognized for feeding the country and the world, as well as for the contributions it makes to the Canadian economy.
AS CFA President Keith Currie said, “Now is the time for strong leadership and bold investment in the competitiveness and resilience of Canada’s agricultural sector. By strengthening agriculture, we safeguard Canada’s food sovereignty, create good jobs, and build a secure and prosperous future for Canadians. Coming out of this election, we need to seize the unique opportunity today’s challenges present to truly realize Canadian agriculture’s potential for all Canadians.”
The team at Farms.com wishes Prime Minister Carney the best of luck in his negotiations, because his work will impact the day-to-day life of every farmer in Canada.
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