Ensuring Canada's food system is on solid ground

Winnipeg Free Press

03-05-2025

Opinion
Canadian farmers are more accustomed to dealing with uncertainty than most.
If they are a bit nonchalant about the changing climate, it's because they adapt to it every day as part of their farm routine.
They have no control over the markets. They get a vote on who sets their policy environment, but as they represent less than two per cent of the population, many would argue they have little sway over the outcome.
After last week's federal election, they at least have certainty over who they are dealing with. Their organizations were busy pumping out news releases indicating their willingness to work with the Liberals led by Mark Carney.
It's not the outcome many of them wanted, but they all recognize they must work with this government to navigate the economic and regulatory hardships caused by our chaos-loving next-door neighbour — especially as attention turns to positioning that trading relationship for the future.
While many farm organizations have zeroed in on the most pressing issues for their members, the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute focused its advice to the new government on framing key issues more broadly to set the stage for the upcoming debates.
A series of papers by the institute's directors, staff and distinguished fellows provides some important context to issues that have long simmered and are about to boil. Some of these perspectives don't align with how farm groups see things.
Elise Bigley, the institute's director of strategic projects, writes Canada's suite of business risk management programs needs a rethink to better define their core purpose and consider whether a one-size-fits-all approach is practical.
'Trying to design a margin program that works well for a mixed farm and for a single commodity operation is difficult and likely means it will not work well for either, as is the case with AgriStability,' she says.
Support programs' costs, shared by federal and provincial-territorial governments and farmers, have soared 50 per cent since 2018. Meanwhile, more farmers are opting out because these programs don't meet their needs and provincial governments have stepped in with top-ups that defeat the purpose of having a national plan.
'It is important to consider whether Canada is maintaining the right balance between reactive and proactive approaches to risk management, especially in light of the calls for increased investment in BRM (business risk management) programs and strategic initiatives,' Bigley said.
'There needs to be a more transparent dialogue around whether it would be more prudent to increase investments in domestic value-added, trade diversification and innovation to help farmers proactively manage the increased risks they are facing.'
C.D. Caldwell, a Dalhousie University professor emeritus who focuses on agricultural ecology, makes a strong case for supporting Canada's supply management of dairy, poultry and eggs. Despite higher prices at the grocery store, the overall cost of the system to Canadians is far lower than in the U.S., where up to 73 per cent of an American dairy farmer's returns come from taxpayers, he said.
Caldwell said the Canadian system brings value far beyond the economic rationale, such as the environmental benefits of matching supply to demand and stabilizing the rural economy.
'We need a food system in Canada that has a balance of economics, environment and health. The old idea of supply management is a new idea for ecological, healthy, sustainable systems. It should be modified, if necessary, but the principles remain sound,' he wrote.
The CAPI papers also highlight the need for better support of young farmers, more biodiversity, enabling the adoption of digital agriculture and data tools, promoting 'buy local' and decluttering regulatory systems.
'Just as 'one-size-fits-all' does not work for hockey equipment, it doesn't work for regulatory design or compliance regimes,' writes Rory McAlpine, who recently retired as senior vice-president, government and industry relations with Maple Leaf Foods.
The new government faces a cacophony of voices with pressing concerns, but these issues deserve attention. What could be more important than ensuring the country's food system is on solid ground?
Laura Rance is executive editor, production content lead for Glacier FarmMedia.
She can be reached at [e-mail]
Laura RanceColumnist
Laura Rance is editorial director at Farm Business Communications.
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