have a choice between being seen to be trying to get something done or actually getting something done.” Collaboration that is critical to accomplishing key objectives can mean that the credit for hard work is unevenly recognized, however, now is the time in agriculture when getting things done must take precedence over recognition of individual organizations.

Almost all agricultural commodities are facing existential threats and significant uncertainty. War has triggered supply chain disruptions and is pushing up input costs. The review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) and the threat of U.S. tariffs has made trade within North America uncertain. Protectionism is on the rise around the world, not just south of the border, with Chinese tariffs on pork and Europe’s non-tariff trade barriers being two leading examples. Agriculture should be taking a “whole plate” approach to addressing these issues and not trying to fix things one commodity at a time. If the industry can step out of individual commodity silos and regional perspectives, we can not only address these threats, but we can realize the vision of making Canada a global food powerhouse.

There are positive steps in this direction. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has brought together a coalition under the banner “Let’s Grow Canada” to support policies that will encourage investment in research and development. CropLife Canada’s “Grow Canada Strong” initiative has similar objectives.  Canada is currently in last place in investment in agriculture research among the top seven countries of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. This must change if we are to weather the geopolitical storms the country is currently facing. Canada is at an inflection point where agriculture has an opportunity to present governments with a vision for attracting private sector research and development investment that can partner with industry, farmers, and governments, rather than just waiting for public sector solutions.

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has launched a “Let’s Grow Canada” website with the intent of showcasing the stories behind Canadian farmers and food producers. The goal is to help promote a greater understanding of the strengths of Canadian agriculture and help drive investment from both Canadians and international investors. All three of these initiatives, from the CFA, FCC, and CropLife, show real leadership, but this is not standard practice.

The review of our most important trade agreement, CUSMA, is underway. The implications for Canadian agriculture are massive. These include the threat of new tariffs and origin rules that could discriminate against Canadian agriculture and food exports like live animals, red meat, biofuels, and more. The aggressive shift in U.S. foreign and trade policies over the past years, coming from both political parties, clearly show us that the renegotiation of our most important trade agreement will be difficult. Agriculture must be more prepared than we are today. All of export agriculture needs to come together to develop a strategic plan on how we approach these negotiations. We need to be prepared to deliver real-time advice to our negotiating team that is consistent and united. We need to be prepared to tell our governments things they might not want to hear. We need to have a logical and systematic approach to outreach to our partners in the U.S. Commodity groups cannot afford to “go it alone” and hope for positive outcomes. Developing this united front requires leaders who are willing to take some risks and step outside of the comfort zone that operating in commodity and regional silos offer.

Labour is another key policy issue that requires a common front from all of agriculture if Canada is to become an international food powerhouse. Almost all sectors of agriculture face labour shortages. New Canadians are an integral part of meeting these needs. Immigration policies in Canada are being questioned due to housing and service shortages in our major cities, but what is needed in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal is not what is needed in rural Canada and at our processing plants. Agriculture needs a unified voice to tell the story about how stable jobs for new Canadians in agriculture and food production are building communities across the country. Rather than political leaders delivering, short “social media ready” soundbites we need thoughtful immigration and labour policies targeting regional, and sectorial, needs. To accomplish this goal, agriculture leaders need to deliver clear and consistent messages to governments.

The Canadian economy is facing undeniable threats due to geopolitical instability and rising protectionism around the world. Agriculture and food production in Canada can be key in mitigating these threats. To seize the opportunity, we need to present governments with united and consistent policy solutions. Agriculture needs to lead the way rather than wait for others to present solutions to us.