Message from Minister Lawrence MacAulay on Bell Let's Talk Day 2025

Jan 24, 2025

OTTAWA, ON, The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, issued the following statement to mark Bell Let's Talk Day:

"Our farmers work tirelessly to provide for their families and feed our communities. The realities of farming – long hours, time spent away from loved ones, and tough business decisions – can all have a direct impact on their mental health, and it is vital they have the support they need, when they need it.

That's why in 2024, the Government of Canada announced an investment of up to $1.08 million for the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing, to help support the mental health of farmers and provide agriculture literacy training to mental health professionals across the country. AgTalk by the Do More Agriculture Foundation is also available as a free and anonymous platform, available in both English and French, for folks to share the challenges they're facing with others who truly understand them.

As Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, I am committed to continue working with my provincial and territorial counterparts and community partners to help more farmers gain access to the mental health support they need, with services and tools that are tailored to their needs.

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Video: When is Sustainable Packaging Coming in the Canadian Agri Food Industry? 3 Critical Perspectives

Canada’s regulatory landscape on single-use plastics is complex but a recent ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal sided with the government’s intent to eliminate single-use plastics. What does this mean for the Canadian agri-food industry? How can companies find the right balance between regulatory compliance and implementing costly alternative solutions? What are retailers and consumers saying about sustainable packaging? This webinar features Joshua Goodman, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Sobeys; Marie-Anne Champoux-Guimond, Director of Sustainability, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada and Glenford Jameson, Canadian Food Lawyer, G.S. Jameson and Company

This 60-minute webinar brings together three industry leaders to examine the opportunities, challenges, and realities of the path forward. In this session, you will gain insights into:

•Canada’s regulatory roadmap and timeline on eliminating single-use plastics

•Current end-of-life solutions for plastics and alternative packaging solutions

•The need to have a corporate strategy that aligns with reality at the retail shelves

•How major brands and retailers are pivoting

•Supply chain considerations

•Common misconceptions