Alberta’s farmers, ranchers and producers are a key driver of the economy and work hard to ensure they can respond to increasing demand for their high-quality, safe products. To assist that work, the federal and provincial governments are partnering to support innovation, growth and sustainability in Alberta’s agricultural sector.
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year federal-provincial-territorial agreement that focuses on increasing trade, expanding markets and supporting innovative and sustainable growth in the sector while creating jobs and strengthening the middle class. Over the next five years $406 million will be invested to support strategic programs and activities under the Partnership. The Partnership includes federal, provincial and territorial cost-shared strategic initiatives to ensure programs are tailored to meet regional needs.
This agreement marks our commitment to the future of Alberta’s diverse agricultural sector. Agriculture is the cornerstone of our province’s economy and our largest sustainable industry. The investments made through this program will expand the capacity and efficiency of the sector, creating more jobs for Albertans and increasing our capacity to export our agri-food products to the world. The strategic direction of this agreement has been the focus of numerous roundtable meetings with Alberta farmers, ranchers and representatives from the diverse agri-food and agri-processing sectors over the last few months.
Irrigation, farm water, and stewardship programming launches in early April. Additional programs supporting Alberta’s agricultural sector will be launched in the coming weeks. Programs and activities will focus on growing trade and expanding markets, innovative and sustainable growth of the sector, supporting diversity and a dynamic, evolving sector, as well as cost-shared strategic initiatives. The Partnership includes a complete and effective suite of business risk-management programs to help farmers manage risks that threaten the viability of their farm.
I’d like to express my gratitude and thanks to those that produce our food. Through thick and thin you remain strong and resilient. You are the stewards of some of Alberta’s most iconic landscapes and inspire us all with your hard work and determination. On behalf of the constituents of Banff-Cochrane, thank you for everything that you do.
Sincerely,
Cam Westhead
MLA for Banff – Cochrane
