Evidence of meeting #53 for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was farmers.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Tom Rosser  Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Michael Hoffort  President and Chief Executive Officer, Farm Credit Canada
Jean-Philippe Gervais  Vice-President and Chief Agricultural Economist, Farm Credit Canada
Kara Beckles  Acting Director General, Research and Analysis Directorate, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Paul Glenn  Past Chair, Canadian Young Farmers' Forum
Justin Williams  Member, Board of Directors, Canadian Young Farmers' Forum
Brady Deaton  Professor and McCain Family Chair in Food Security, Department of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Guelph, As an Individual

12:35 p.m.

NDP

Ruth Ellen Brosseau NDP Berthier—Maskinongé, QC

I was wondering if maybe Young Farmers' Forum could talk about how young farmers are feeling about the future. There are a lot of opportunities, and there are maybe some things that might weigh a little bit harder on them.

Can you maybe comment on what the general feeling is of young farmers about their future?

12:35 p.m.

Past Chair, Canadian Young Farmers' Forum

Paul Glenn

Generally speaking, it is a great time to be in agriculture. There's no doubt about that. I know you always hear the doom and gloom from farmers all the time, so I don't want to be like that. There are lots of young farmers excited to be in agriculture, really happy about pushing the envelope on technology and where we're going. We are dealing with a lot larger numbers, so there is definitely that stress in your mind: you're not financing $500,000 farms anymore; you're financing million dollar-plus farms. There is a little bit more mental stress that goes along with that.

12:40 p.m.

NDP

Ruth Ellen Brosseau NDP Berthier—Maskinongé, QC

In addition to the financial barriers, are there any other kinds of barriers or things that could disadvantage the sustainability of our family farms?

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan

Can I get a quick response?

12:40 p.m.

Past Chair, Canadian Young Farmers' Forum

Paul Glenn

I don't have anything specific that comes to mind right now, but I know transitioning farms is a big one, continuing on the family farm. Then the more we can train our young farmers and educate the public, the better.

12:40 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Pat Finnigan

Thank you so much.

We're going to end our meeting here. I want to thank the panel and apologize for a bit shorter session. I do appreciate your taking the time to come over.

I just want to remind the committee that this Thursday we shall not have a meeting because of the Friday schedule.

The meeting is adjourned.