The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is pleased to extend a warm welcome to Minister Lawrence MacAulay as he returns to the role of Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food. The CFA looks forward to engaging Minister MacAulay in his new capacity and collaborating once again to propel the vital interests of Canadian agriculture forward, unleashing Canadian agriculture’s full potential as an economic driver and source of climate solutions.

The CFA would also like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau for her contributions to Canadian agriculture throughout her tenure as Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food, a position she has served diligently since 2019. Throughout her time in the agricultural sphere, Minister Bibeau demonstrated remarkable dedication and a collaborative approach, even during tumultuous periods marked by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, amongst others. This collaborative approach was evidenced through Minister Bibeau’s work with her provincial and territorial counterparts in finalizing the new five-year Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The CFA extends its best wishes to Minister Bibeau as she embarks on her new role as Minister of National Revenue and looks forward to working with her in this new role.

Keith Currie, president of the CFA, remarked, "The CFA sincerely thanks Minister Bibeau for her dedication and willingness to engage with farmers throughout her tenure as Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food. We look forward to working with Minister MacAulay, whose experience and expertise as a former Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food will be an asset at pivotal time for Canadian agriculture.

As this transition takes place, I would stress the importance of maintaining momentum and a continued focus on key issues, such as continued collaboration with CFA and farmers across Canada on the development of the Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, the need to secure short-term support for the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct, a strong voice in Cabinet to ensure farm-level realities are informing broader government decision-making, continued collaboration with industry in the development of an agriculture labour strategy, and a timely review of the Canada Grains Act."

Source:  Canadian Federation of Agriculture July 26, 2023 news release