News Policy
CFA to host debate with federal agricultural minister and critics ahead of election

To discuss where each party stands on the critical issues in agriculture, the CFA is hosting the National Agriculture Leaders Debate on Sept. 9. Sponsored exclusively by Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada, the debate will bring together the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, as well as the agriculture critics from each national party, to debate questions that focus on the priority issues for Canadian farmers.

Prior to the pandemic, Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food sector employed 2.3 million Canadians – that’s one in eight jobs, making it the second largest employer in the country. Contributing over $140 billion in GDP each year, the sector is a critical component of the national economy. As an essential service, agriculture could be a powerful economic engine for Canada’s recovery and provide solutions to the fight against climate change.

According to the press release, CFA members and agri-food stakeholders across Canada “look forward to hearing each party’s respective position on agricultural policy.” The CFA notes it will not be providing the debate questions to media or the debate participants in advance.

The debate participants include:

• Bloc Quebecois: MP Yves Perron, critic for agriculture and agri-food;
• Conservative Party of Canada: MP Dave Epp;
• Liberal Party of Canada: Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; and
• NDP (New Democratic Party): MP Alistair MacGregor, critic for agriculture and agri-food.

To catch the debate broadcast, tune in to the following links on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. EDT: