MacAulay is Canada’s new Minister of Agriculture
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
Canada now has a better idea of the responsibilities of newly appointed Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released mandate letters, describing the duties and responsibilities the ministers need to fulfill.
“I am honoured that you have agreed to serve Canadians as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food,” the letter begins.
“As Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, your overarching goal will be to support the agricultural sector in a way that allows it to be a leader in job creation and innovation,” the letter reads. “Canadian farmers, ranchers and food processors are the foundation of our food sector (and) government must use its policy and financial tools to support the agricultural sector in its vital work.”
The letter outlines nine of MacAulay’s most important priorities:
- Invest in an Agri-Food Value Added Investment Fund to help attract investment and create jobs in food processing, providing technical and marketing assistance in the process
- Develop a food policy that promotes healthy living and safe food by putting more Canadian-produced food on tables across the country
- Invest in agricultural research to support science and innovation in the industry, and involve food producers in the process
- Promote Canadian agricultural interests during trade negotiations
- Work with producers and provincial governments to determine whether the farm income safety nets are enough to support Canadian farmers and implement a new multi-year policy to replace Growing Forward 2
- Work with all willing partners to help the industry adapt to climate change and address water and soil conservation and development issues
- Support the Minister of Transport in reviewing the Canadian grain transportation system
- Support the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities to ensure investments in transportation infrastructure including short-line rail spurs and port loading terminals
- Support the Ministers of Natural Resources and the Environment and Climate Change to make investments that will make resource sectors world leaders
MacAulay was appointed Minister of Agriculture after Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party defeated the Conservatives in October, ousting Gerry Ritz as Minister of Agriculture in the process.
Join the conversation and tell us your thoughts about the outlined priorities for the new Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. What are some other priorities that need to be addressed in the agriculture industry?