By Alice McFarlane

Farm groups urge swift action on key points following the Carney election victory

Apr 29, 2025 | 12:13 PM

The new federal government needs to act quickly to address the pressing challenges facing Canadian grain farmers.

That was a common message from agriculture groups following yesterday’s election

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) President Keith Currie said a strong, resilient agriculture sector is vital to the health, economy, and security of our entire nation.

“As Canada faces increasing pressures from international trade tensions, now is the time for strong leadership and bold investment in the competitiveness and resilience of Canada’s agricultural sector,” Curries said. “By strengthening agriculture, we safeguard Canada’s food sovereignty, create good jobs, and build a secure and prosperous future for Canadians. Coming out of this election, we need to seize the unique opportunity today’s challenges present to truly realize Canadian agriculture’s potential for all Canadians.”

Currie said CFA is eager to meet with the new government and Parliamentarians on key issues including supporting farmers through significant global trade uncertainty and the impacts of tariffs, reducing interprovincial trade barriers, enhancing Business Risk Management programs to make farms more resilient, and investing in Canada’s trade infrastructure.

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While the Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney and all Members of Parliament, Executive Director Kyle Larkin said the stakes of this election could not have been higher for grain farmers.

“From rising input costs and global market uncertainty to transportation bottlenecks and regulatory pressures, producers are facing a growing list of challenges that require immediate federal attention,” Larkin said. “Grain farmers are ready to be an equal partner with government in growing Canada’s economy.

Larkin said GGC is urging the government to reverse the capital gains tax increase, permanently eliminate the carbon tax for on-farm activities, and resolve ongoing trade uncertainty with the United States and China.

GGC also said the capital gains tax increase and the carbon tax are not abstract issues for farmers as they directly impact whether investments can be made in new equipment, transfer the farm on to the next generation, and continue contributing to the economy.

Alberta Grains stated it was eager to collaborate with the incoming federal government and all elected members of Parliament.

Chair Tara Sawyer emphasized the need to enhance the competitiveness, growth and long-term viability of grain farming across the province.

“We look forward to working closely with key officials to ensure agriculture remains a national priority, with policies that allow Alberta’s grain farmers to thrive,” Sawyer said.

Alberta Grains’ top federal priorities are growth and access to global markets, including diplomacy to reduce trade barriers such as the recent tariff threats imposed by the United States.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com