Agriculture Committee on May 28th, 2018

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

To make sure that there is an improvement, is that it?

[Chris Forbes]

Yes.

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

As you know, the next generation is very important, whether on farms or in processing companies.

What are your ties with agricultural educational institutions? Are you in touch with them? Do you seek feedback from students on how they see the future of agriculture?

[Chris Forbes]

Yes.

Last week, my fellow provincial deputy ministers and I met with university members to hear their priorities. We had an excellent discussion.

The assistant deputy minister responsible for science and technology meets regularly with university representatives to discuss our needs, our research priorities, their students, and how we can better dovetail with their reality. We also do a lot of research in partnership with our universities. As we said earlier, we hire about 1,000 or more students a year. I can say that our ties are strong from this point of view.

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

Do I have any time left, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

You have almost two minutes left.

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

You know that we are going to start a study on the mental health of producers. This problem is not new; it goes back a number of years. It even goes back more than 10 years.

Are we the first to address this issue or has it been talked about in the past?

[Chris Forbes]

Personally, I haven't seen any studies in Canada on the situation on farms. However, I know that the public service is very much involved in this issue.

Perhaps my colleague can tell you more about that.

[Pierre Corriveau]

No, not from my knowledge.

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

According to the annals, the Senate tackled this issue in 1993. In agriculture, were you aware of that or has anyone asked you about it?

[Chris Forbes]

On my end, I don't know. However, my colleague has worked in the department a few years longer than I have. We could check whether we have information on that and, if so, forward it to you.

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

Earlier, we talked about public confidence. We know how important this can be.

Are there funding programs or are there provinces to which an organization can apply for funding to promote agriculture, production methods and environmental protections under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act?

[Chris Forbes]

There certainly are at the provincial level. This is part of the Canadian agricultural partnership. Programs probably exist in almost every province. At the federal level, there is the AgriInsure program.

[Jean-Claude Poissant, Liberal, La Prairie, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Thank you, Mr. Forbes.

Thank you, Mr. Poissant.

Mr. Breton, you have the floor for six minutes.

[Pierre Breton, Liberal, Shefford, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Forbes and Mr. Corriveau, thank you for joining us today and for the outstanding work that you do.

My first question is about the new AgriDiversity program. As part of the new 2018-19 departmental plan, the program’s objective is to strengthen the agriculture and agri-food sector by building the entrepreneurial capacity of under-represented groups such as indigenous communities, youth, women and persons with disabilities, I believe.

Can you tell us what the status of that is?

Have you received any requests?

Have any projects been submitted to you?

What budget does the program have?

Earlier, we said that it was difficult to attract labour, particularly in the agriculture and agri-food sector. This program could be a positive way to improve the situation of some people who could participate in economic growth in the agricultural sector. It's a new program. It might be helpful if you could elaborate on that.

[Chris Forbes]

There are three points. As this is a new program, the current phase consists mainly of promoting it in the sector. It was launched in early April, but it is still brand new. I don't know how many applications have been received, but we can check that. Having said that, I think it's a little early to estimate the number of applications. The goal of the program is truly to increase opportunities, such as their entrepreneurial capacity, for those who would like to work in the sector. We are working with under-represented groups to ensure that we get good program suggestions from them.

[Pierre Breton, Liberal, Shefford, QC]

Has any promotion been done?

I'm sorry, Mr. Corriveau. Please continue.

[Pierre Corriveau]

This is the first time the program has been included in the main estimates. Over the next five years, the program will receive contributions in the amount of $5 million, or $1 million per year. The program was launched and announced in late winter. However, I would not be able to tell you how many applications were submitted.

All federal programs launched before March 31 have been advertised. For the first time in our new policy framework, we wanted to make sure that there truly was a transition, that all our programs were continuing and that the new programs were announced in advance.

[Pierre Breton, Liberal, Shefford, QC]

To whom has the department promoted it?

Is it to the under-represented groups, producers, unions?

Do you know?

[Chris Forbes]

We have been advertising to everybody, mostly, because, in launching the partnership on April 1, we had a lot of discussions with producer groups and so on. We also made commitments. In fact, until last year, we were busy preparing the partnership. We held extensive consultations with under-represented groups, including youth, women and indigenous people. We keep those who have participated in the commitments informed and make sure that they are aware of the program, the rules, and so on.

[Pierre Breton, Liberal, Shefford, QC]

Pragmatically speaking, do agricultural producers have to submit the applications or projects? Or is it the under-represented groups?

[Chris Forbes]

The under-represented groups have to do it.

[Pierre Breton, Liberal, Shefford, QC]

Okay. So they are youth groups or women's groups, for example.

[Chris Forbes]

Organizations, not individuals, submit the applications. I cannot say that a group of producers would not be eligible. The goal is to increase capacity in the sector. Agricultural producers and under-represented groups could apply, but most often the under-represented groups do so.