REGINA, Saskatchewan – The Canadian government has pledged C$1 billion to grow the country’s agriculture and agri-food exports under a federal, provincial and terrestrial (FTP) initiative called the Canadian Agriculture Partnership.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay, announced the initiatives and priorities of the $1 billion federal investment under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which will launch April 1, 2018. Six federal programs were created to support targeted investments in priorities established under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership:

  • AgriMarketing with industry associations and small- and medium-sized companies will generate promotional opportunities and to diversify exports to international markets.
  • AgriCompetitiveness will assist industry-led efforts to help the agriculture and agri-food sectors leverage, coordinate and build on existing capacity, enhance safety, share best practices and provide mentorship opportunities, among other activities.
  • AgriScience is designed to accelerate the pace of innovation through pre-commercialization activities and investments in research.
  • AgriInnovate will accelerate commercialization and/or adoption of agriculture-based products, technologies, processes and services.
  • AgriDiversity will help underrepresented groups build entrepreneurial capacity and business skills through sharing of industry experience, best practices and knowledge.
  • AgriAssurance will enable stakeholders to make meaningful and verifiable claims about the health and safety of Canadian agricultural products.

 

“This is an exciting new chapter for agriculture in Canada. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s federal initiatives show our government’s strong agenda for growth in agriculture and agri-food — one that will help build an even stronger, more innovative and sustainable sector. It will ensure Canadian farmers and food processors are well positioned to meet the world's growing demand for our high-quality products, while creating well-paying middle-class jobs and delivering prosperity for communities across the country.”

Canada’s agriculture and food exports set a record of over C$60 billion in 2016. The government’s budget for 2017 set a goal of growing Canada’s agri-food exports to C$75 billion by 2025.