The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) welcomes targeted steps in Budget 2025, including a productivity super-deduction to encourage investment and new funding to digitize export certificates from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).  However, FVGC is disappointed that the November 4, 2025 federal budget misses the opportunity to deliver on the election platform and Speech from the Throne commitments to enhance food security for Canadians by offering direct support for fruit and vegetable growers.

“Food security is national security,” said Marcus Janzen, president, FVGC. “Today’s budget continues to leave growers exposed to ongoing trade uncertainty and extreme weather events. The cuts to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) will hamstring its ability to modernize agricultural safety nets. When it comes to food security, this budget fails to deliver on the government’s earlier promises.”

Budget 2025 repackages earlier announcements, such as the previously announced increase of AgriStability’s compensation rate to 90 percent with a higher $6 million cap, and a temporary increase to the Advanced Payments Program (APP) interest-free limit to $250,000 for all producers in 2025.

The Budget did introduce some welcome measures, including a productivity super-deduction - a package of enhanced write-offs designed to make capital investment less expensive. This measure will facilitate additional capital expenditures for fruit and vegetable growers. It also offered new CFIA funding to digitize trade tools and export certificates, as well as a proposal to amend legislation to remove cyclical pesticide re-evaluations to enable modern, risk-based oversight.

However, the list of missed opportunities is long. Notably, FVGC asked the Government to protect agriculture from cuts to safeguard the Government’s capacity to support growers and enhance food security. Other missing priorities included: modernizing business risk management (beyond AgriStability), restoring Pest Management Centre funding for the Minor Use Program, targeted investments in the greenhouse sector, and a clear competitiveness plan to help Canadian growers keep pace with U.S. producers.  

“The Liberal election platform, released just six months ago, got it right when it stated that ‘Food security is about more than just ensuring there is enough food on our plates, it’s also about protecting Canada’s economic sovereignty,’ said Marcus Janzen. “This budget falls short on both counts.”

Source:  Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada November 5, 2025 news release