By Cam Dahl, GM, Manitoba Pork
A former boss once told me something that has stayed with me for 25 years: “Often you have a choice between being seen to be trying to get something done or actually getting something done.” Collaboration, which is critical to achieving key objectives, can mean credit for hard work is unevenly recognized. However, now is the time in agriculture when getting things done must take precedence over recognition of individual organizations.
Almost all agricultural commodities are facing existential threats and significant uncertainty. War has disrupted supply chains and driven up input costs. The review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), along with the threat of U.S. tariffs, has created uncertainty for North American trade. Protectionism is rising globally, not just south of the border, with Chinese tariffs on pork and Europe’s non-tariff trade barriers among the leading examples.
Agriculture must take a “whole plate” approach to these challenges rather than addressing them commodity by commodity. By stepping outside individual commodity silos and regional perspectives, the industry can not only respond to these threats but also realize the vision of making Canada a global food powerhouse.
There are positive steps in this direction. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture has brought together a coalition under the banner “Let’s Grow Canada” to support policies encouraging investment in research and development. CropLife Canada’s “Grow Canada Strong” initiative has similar objectives. Canada currently ranks last in agricultural research investment among the top seven countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. This must change if we are to weather current geopolitical challenges.
Canada is at an inflection point. Agriculture has an opportunity to present governments with a vision for attracting private-sector research and development investment that partners with industry, farmers and governments, rather than relying solely on public-sector solutions.
Farm Credit Canada has launched a “Let’s Grow Canada” website aimed at showcasing the stories of Canadian farmers and food producers. The goal is to promote a better understanding of the strengths of Canadian agriculture and help drive investment from both domestic and international sources. While initiatives from the CFA, FCC and CropLife demonstrate leadership, this level of collaboration is not yet standard practice.
The review of our most important trade agreement, CUSMA, is underway, with major implications for Canadian agriculture. These include the risk of new tariffs and origin rules that could disadvantage Canadian exports such as live animals, red meat and biofuels. The shift in U.S. trade and foreign policy in recent years, across political lines, signals that renegotiations will be challenging.
Agriculture must be better prepared. Export-oriented sectors need to come together to develop a unified strategy for these negotiations. This includes delivering real-time, consistent advice to negotiators, engaging effectively with U.S. partners, and being willing to present governments with difficult truths. Commodity groups cannot afford to act alone and hope for favourable outcomes. Achieving a united front will require leaders willing to step outside traditional commodity and regional silos.
Labour is another critical issue requiring a unified approach. Most sectors face labour shortages, and new Canadians play an essential role in meeting these needs. While immigration policies are under scrutiny due to pressures in major cities, rural Canada and processing facilities have distinct labour requirements. Agriculture must clearly communicate how stable employment in the sector supports community growth nationwide.
Rather than relying on short, social media-driven messaging, governments need thoughtful immigration and labour policies tailored to regional and sectoral needs. Achieving this will require agriculture leaders to deliver clear and consistent messaging.
The Canadian economy faces significant threats from geopolitical instability and rising protectionism. Agriculture and food production can play a key role in mitigating these challenges. To seize this opportunity, the sector must present governments with unified, consistent policy solutions. Agriculture must lead rather than wait for others to act.
