News Associations
CFA reaction to 2020 Throne Speech

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) was pleased to hear agriculture mentioned in the Throne Speech delivered on September 23, and will be seeking further details in the coming days and weeks with the government on many of the initiatives mentioned.

Some of the initiatives CFA has been promoting that were mentioned in the Throne Speech include:

• Eliminating remaining barriers between provinces to full, free internal trade
• Expanding the Canada Emergency Business Account to help businesses with fixed costs
• Accelerating the connectivity timelines and ambitions of the Universal Broadband Fund to ensure that all Canadians, no matter where they live, have access to high-speed internet.
• Strengthening local food supply chains here in Canada.
• Recognizing farmers, foresters, and ranchers as key partners in the fight against climate change, supporting their efforts to reduce emissions and build resilience.

“The Throne Speech was promising, but it’s the details and execution that will really determine if they are effective in unleashing the potential of Canadian agriculture,” said Mary Robinson, CFA president.

CFA was also pleased to see that the government recommitted to compensate farmers operating under supply management, but farmers in other sectors need an equal commitment that the government will backstop their efforts in the form of improved Business Risk Management (BRM) programs.

“The CFA membership, which represents over 200,000 farm families across Canada, has indicated that improving these BRM programs is the most important action to take if the Federal Government truly wants to help the sector lead the Canadian economy out of the pandemic and spur significant economic growth,” Mary Robinson concluded.

CFA will be working closely with the government to ensure that these initiatives are implemented effectively and in the best manner to serve Canadian farmers. With the proper support, Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food can be a powerful economic engine to help fuel Canada’s recovery.