Ag industry gets boost from new programs

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence McAulay revealed details of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) during an announcement in Regina at Agribition on Friday.

Aimed at strengthening the agriculture and agri-food sector, CAP is a $3-billion investment set to replace a similar policy framework known as Growing Forward 2 (GF2).

Like GF2, CAP is comprised of $1 billion for federal programs and $2 billion in cost-shared programs between the federal, provincial and territorial governments, but the federal programs will be expanded and restructured.

Current federal programs under GF2 include AgriInnovation, AgriCompetitiveness and AgriMarketing. Under the new framework, AgriInnovation will be called AgriInnovate and three more programs will be added including AgriDiversity, AgriAssurance and AgriScience.

“These are the priorities that will help drive our industry forward. The government knows that agriculture is fundamental to our economy,” said McAulay.

He said the new programs will have an emphasis on sustainable and clean growth — helping farmers adapt to climate change, conserve oil and soil and meet the growing global demand for food. They will also function to help “diverse groups” take a “greater leadership role.”

McAulay said the federal government programs are also directed at getting more Indigenous people and women involved in agriculture.