Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the Government ensure that all other governmental departments and agencies integrate the new agricultural policy framework to ensure a whole-of-government approach to maximize the expected short- and long-term impacts.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the Government ensure a seamless transition from one policy framework to the next and implement a simple and transparent mechanism for processing funding applications.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that the Government renew the AgriMarketing Program within the next policy framework.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that the Government deploy the necessary resources in organizations that support international trade in order to increase the sector’s export capacity.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that the Government maintain an appropriate cost‑share ratio for the agri-science cluster component of the AgriInnovation Program and provide appropriate financial and administrative support to smaller industry organizations to support their participation in innovation programs.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that the Government increase attention to the food processing sector, including on-farm processing, by providing it with the support necessary to increase its productivity and improve its competitiveness to position Canada as a global food leader.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that the Government continue to defend and protect supply management.

Recommendation 8

The Committee recommends that the Government ensure that the business risk management programs in the next agricultural policy framework are transparent, quick to respond, simple and predictable and that they better meet the needs of farmers.

Recommendation 9

The Committee recommends that the Government review the threshold for payments under the AgriStability program to ensure that it provides farmers with adequate protection and flexibility for greater participation.

Recommendation 10

The Committee recommends that the Government continue to support the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program and consider its extension to the entire country.

Recommendation 11

The Committee recommends that the Government support the private sector in developing and implementing risk management pilot projects that better address the needs of the agriculture sector.

Recommendation 12

The Committee recommends that the Government, in cooperation with the agriculture and agri‑food sector, analyze the environmental and economic costs and benefits of environmental practices at various stages of the agri‑food production chain.

Recommendation 13

The Committee recommends that the next policy framework include a component for implementing environmental practices at various stages of the agri‑food production chain, including measures to address climate change and deal with its effects and measures to help the sector adapt to the environmental regulations landscape in conjunction with the provinces and territories.

Recommendation 14

The Committee recommends that the Government support public trust of the agriculture and agri-food sector through focused efforts to increase robustness and confidence in assurance systems and regulatory systems, and financial support for public awareness activities that are grounded in scientific information.

Recommendation 15

The Committee recommends that the next policy framework support the concerted efforts of the Canadian agriculture sector to strengthen public trust, such as the public trust initiatives established by the existing value chains, and fund public research to reinforce public trust.

Recommendation 16

The Committee recommends that the Government improve the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to better accommodate the needs of the Canadian agriculture value chain.

Recommendation 17

The Committee recommends that the Government support workforce development initiatives to improve agriculture career awareness amongst underrepresented groups, in order to reduce barriers and increase awareness of the job opportunities available in the agriculture and agri‑food sector.

Recommendation 18

The Committee recommends that the Government work with stakeholders to support the next generation of farmers by improving farm start-up conditions, succession planning and the transfer of knowledge to help young farmers and beginning farmers start their business.