Federal, provincial, and territorial ministers outline a shared roadmap to boost food security, strengthen food processing, enhance supply chain resilience, and support sustainable agriculture across Canada.
Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers have agreed on a set of shared priorities to strengthen the country’s food supply chain, improve agricultural competitiveness, and build a more resilient agri-food sector during their Annual Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The discussions focused on ensuring long-term food security while supporting farmers, food processors, and rural communities.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to developing the Next Policy Framework (NPF), which will guide future investments in agriculture, food processing, innovation, sustainability, and risk management. The framework is intended to improve productivity, strengthen domestic food production, and help Canadian agriculture adapt to climate, market, and supply chain challenges.
A major focus of the meeting was enhancing the resilience of Canada’s food processing and manufacturing sector by encouraging innovation, investment in modern processing facilities, and improved logistics infrastructure. Ministers emphasized that stronger processing capacity and efficient supply chains are essential for maintaining stable food supplies and expanding export opportunities.
The conference also highlighted the importance of supporting farmers through improved business risk management programs, investments in research and innovation, animal health initiatives, and sustainable production practices. Ministers agreed to continue working collaboratively with industry stakeholders to improve competitiveness while maintaining high food safety and environmental standards.
Another priority was expanding international market opportunities for Canadian agri-food products while strengthening domestic food security. The ministers discussed measures to improve market access, promote value-added food manufacturing, and reinforce Canada’s position as a reliable supplier of high-quality agricultural and food products.
The shared priorities outlined at the conference underscore Canada’s commitment to building a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable food system. By investing in agriculture, food processing, supply chain infrastructure, and collaborative policymaking, the country aims to enhance long-term food security while supporting continued growth across the agri-food industry.