The road to 2028: Shaping the next agricultural policy framework

Over the next year, federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers will make decisions that influence Canada’s next five-year agricultural policy framework.

While the process may sound like another government planning exercise, the Next Agricultural Policy Framework will shape many of the programs, research investments and business risk management tools producers rely on to support competitiveness, profitability and productivity on the farm.

The current Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership expires March 31, 2028. Before then, federal, provincial and territorial governments must negotiate a new framework that will determine shared priorities, funding arrangements and program design from 2028 to 2033.

The first major milestone comes in July, when Canada’s agriculture ministers meet in Halifax to establish a long-term vision for the future framework. Similar to the Guelph Statement, which established priorities and guiding principles embedded in current programming under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the new set of priorities will be known as the Halifax Statement.

The Halifax Statement will guide federal, provincial and territorial negotiations in the months ahead.

A renewed focus on strengthening the competitiveness, profitability and productivity of Canadian agriculture would be welcome. Environmental sustainability remains an important consideration, but the next framework should place greater emphasis on growing the sector through investments in research, innovation, market development and trade, aligned with the federal government’s mandate.

Why farmers should care

While the framework may feel removed from day-to-day farming, the programs that fall under it have direct impacts on farm businesses.

The framework influences investments in producer-led research, variety development, market development, extension programming and business risk management programs such as AgriInsurance. It also helps determine how governments respond to emerging challenges, including trade disruptions, labour shortages, drought and disease outbreaks.

The operating environment for agriculture has changed significantly since the current framework was negotiated. Rising input costs, geopolitical uncertainty, transportation disruptions, increased weather variability and tightening margins have created new pressures and increased risks for farm businesses. At the same time, Canada faces stronger international competition for investment, markets and innovation.

Agriculture is one of Canada’s strategic industries, driving economic growth, supporting rural communities, strengthening food security and generating export revenue. A policy framework that prioritizes growth and positions agriculture as a strategic economic sector would better equip farmers to remain competitive, respond to global opportunities and continue producing safe, sustainable food for Canadians and customers around the world.

Alberta Grains believes the next framework needs to recognize these realities and return to its original purpose: supporting profitable, productive and competitive farm businesses.

Alberta Grains’ priorities

Throughout federal and provincial consultations, Alberta Grains, together with Team Alberta Crops, has consistently advocated for a framework that puts producers first.

Alberta Grains’ priorities include:

Refocusing on competitiveness and productivity: Investments should strengthen farm profitability through practical research, innovation and technology adoption that delivers measurable improvements on the farm. Stable, predictable funding for producer-driven research remains one of the best long-term investments governments can make.

Maintaining strong business risk management programs: Programs such as AgriInsurance remain the foundation of farm resilience. While they must continue to evolve to reflect new risks and improve responsiveness, Alberta Grains believes they should remain separate from environmental programming and continue to provide producers with reliable risk protection. Programs must also account for farm transition, as many operations prepare to transfer to the next generation.

Supporting market growth and trade diversification: Alberta’s grain sector depends on export markets. Continued investment in market access, trade diversification and domestic value-added opportunities, including transportation and supply-chain performance, is essential to maintaining Canada’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality grain.

Just as importantly, Alberta Grains believes agriculture policy cannot exist in isolation. Many factors affecting farm profitability, including transportation infrastructure, taxation, labour availability and regulatory efficiency, sit outside traditional agriculture programming.

A more co-ordinated, whole-of-government approach will be essential if Canada hopes to improve its global competitive position.

A shared message across Canadian agriculture

One encouraging aspect of this policy discussion is the growing alignment across the sector.

The priorities Alberta Grains is advancing are shared across much of Canada’s grain sector. Organizations including Grain Growers of Canada, the Canadian Wheat Research Coalition and other national groups have consistently emphasized the importance of a policy framework that strengthens farm competitiveness through investments in research, innovation, market development, trade and productivity.

While each organization brings its own perspective, there is broad agreement that the Next Agricultural Policy Framework should position agriculture as a strategic economic sector and provide producers with the tools they need to grow, compete and succeed in an increasingly uncertain global marketplace.

What happens next?

The Halifax ministers’ meeting will establish the strategic direction, but negotiations will continue over the next 18 to 24 months.

Producer organizations, including Alberta Grains, will remain actively engaged throughout the process to ensure Alberta farmers’ priorities remain front and centre as governments design the next generation of agricultural programs.

These decisions will not simply affect government programming. They will help determine how competitive Canadian agriculture remains in an increasingly uncertain global marketplace.

For Alberta grain producers, this is an opportunity to help shape a policy framework that strengthens profitability, supports innovation, manages risk and positions Canadian agriculture for long-term success.