Canada is a land rich in natural abundance. For generations, we’ve supplied the world with food, energy, and minerals. Our relationship with our closest trading partner, the United States, has been long-standing and largely positive, so much so that our supply chains now cross borders multiple times before reaching consumers.
But recent global events have made it clear: those days of seamless cooperation can no longer be taken for granted. Canada’s closest trading partner has become unpredictable, and we must forge a new path.
As tensions with China and the U.S. escalate, Canada must turn inward to our core strengths. We are a country of vast land and modest population, with immense opportunities. Yet, burdensome policies and sluggish processes limit our reach. We generate more energy and food than we need, yet we export much of it as raw commodities, giving up economic value in the process.
The truth is simple: Canada provides the essentials of life. The food on the table. The heat in our homes. These are not luxuries; they are necessities. And they must form the foundation of our national resilience.
That foundation is agriculture.
Canadian agriculture is a vital industry, rooted in both rural and urban communities. It contributes nearly $150 billion annually to our GDP and employs 2.3 million people, more than the automotive, forestry, steel and aluminum, and oil and gas sectors combined. It is the largest manufacturing sector in the country, and a key driver of domestic growth.
Yet agriculture and agri-food have too often been treated as secondary players in Canada’s economic strategy. We have the land, freshwater, marine resources, skilled people, and regulatory credibility to lead in sustainable food production. But while other nations invest boldly in agri-tech, domestic processing, and export readiness, Canada has been slow to respond. RBC reports that in 2000, Canada was among the top five global agri-food exporters. Yet today, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) reports that Canada has slid to ninth place. Global market share has declined nearly 12% since 2000, even as export value quadrupled, proof that other countries are innovating faster and capturing more value.
Initiatives like Canada’s Food System are helping to change that. Its goal is to turn the personal connection Canadians have with food into a lifelong commitment to the system behind it. By connecting Canadians to the bigger picture of how food reaches their plates, Canada’s Food System shows that innovation and investment aren’t just about exports—they’re about food security, economic resilience, and community prosperity.
Recent work from Farm Credit Canada underscores the cost of inaction. Their analysis shows that restoring agriculture’s historic productivity growth alone could deliver $30 billion in net cash income over the next decade. The message is clear: innovation is our path forward, and time is of the essence.
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, representing 190,000 farm families across the country, stresses that this isn’t just an economic issue: it’s a livelihood issue. Producers are ready to innovate, but need the right tools, infrastructure, and policy environment to succeed. Farmers know better than anyone that productivity gains don’t just strengthen Canada’s trade position; they also make family farms more resilient, communities more secure, and ensure Canadians continue to have access to safe, affordable food and agricultural products.
This is a wake-up call.
Closing this gap requires smart policy and public understanding. That’s why coordinated advocacy, like the public-facing initiatives such as Canada’s Food System and the recent Let’s Grow Canada letter are so important. The letter, supported by leaders across the agri-food supply chain, urges the federal government to:
- Create a focused plan for economic growth in agriculture
Make agriculture and agri-food—including Indigenous agriculture—a national priority. Set clear targets for production growth, innovation investment, value-added processing, exports, and stable labour supply. - Ensure regulations support a growth agenda
Align the mandates of key regulators with Canada’s food security and competitiveness goals. Reduce regulatory burdens and make Canada a top destination for agricultural investment and innovation. - Prioritize transportation and trade infrastructure
Invest in rail, port, cold chain, and rural infrastructure to ensure our products can get to market. Ensure reliable service to maintain Canada’s reputation as a dependable supplier. - Modernize risk management tools
Update programs to reflect the current risk profile of agriculture in light of climate change and trade wars. Ensure inclusive, responsive tools that support the sector amid trade and environmental disruptions.
This call to action is not about maintaining the status quo; it’s about securing Canada’s economic and food security future. With the right policies, agriculture and agri-food businesses could add an additional $100 billion over the next decade.
The time is now. Agriculture must become a cornerstone of Canada’s future, driving growth, fostering innovation, supporting sustainability, and raising living standards for all Canadians. To change course, agriculture must be made a national priority, backed by meaningful investment and coordinated federal leadership.
Canada can stand on its own. But we must first stand together on the firm foundation of our natural strengths.
Keith Currie, President, Canadian Federation of Agriculture