National Strategy for Soil Health Act highlights critical ground preservation needs

On June 12, the Honourable Robert Black, Senator for Ontario, rose in the Senate Chamber to speak to Bill S-230, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy for soil health protection, conservation and enhancement.

Tabled on June 10, 2025, by Senator Black, the National Strategy for Soil Health Act mandates the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, along with other relevant Ministers, to develop a national strategy to support and promote efforts across Canada to protect, conserve and enhance soil health, including a view of achieving resilient and healthy soils across Canada.

Bill S-230 reflects a number of recommendations set out in the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry’s (AGFO) report, Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human and Social Health, tabled in the Senate of Canada in June 2024. The National Strategy for Soil Health Act highlights the need for policy recommendations, analysis of the status of Canada’s soils, knowledge sharing, education and training in soil health, among other initiatives.