With many Canadian industries facing challenges from a protectionist American administration these days, the success of the province’s agriculture industry remains as vital today as it has ever been.
As such, any and all efforts to support and promote the province’s farmers and ranchers are in everyone’s best interest, moving the community at large forward at a time of economic uncertainty.
One such initiative is the new federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which officials say will provide more than $90 million to assist Alberta agri-businesses “expand export capacity and promote industry initiatives that increase consumer confidence and awareness of the Alberta agricultural sector.”
The partnership program includes more than $70 million to “support the growth of Alberta’s small, medium and large-sized enterprises in the agriculture, food, beverage and bio-product processing industries through the development and commercialization of new products and processes.”
As well an additional $19 million will be made available to support “industry-led initiatives to communicate about food system production practices and sustainability assurance systems with the public/consumer.”
For his part, Alberta's Agriculture Minister Oneil Cartier says he hopes the program will support and promote the province’s farm communities by increasing awareness of the agriculture industry’s key role.
“Building greater awareness of the sector helps consumers make more informed choices and fosters a greater appreciation of the role agriculture plays in society, the environment and the economy,” said Carlier.
Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, says the program will “foster continued progress and prosperity for our farmers, ranchers and processors.”
Alberta farm communities cannot do much, if anything, to change the current protectionist sentiments of the U.S. administration. And while a softening of Trump policies vis-à-vis Canada could come any time, they could also become even more severe in the months to come.
With that reality in mind, cooperation among Canadian stakeholders through programs such as this new partnership are helpful in moving key economic drivers including farming, ranching and other agri-business forward.
This new multi-stakeholder program is both needed and welcome.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
