Agriculture Committee on March 12th, 2020

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

You no doubt remember that we did a major economic analysis in 2016-17.

The Barton report, as it's known, identified the agri-food sector as a priority sector for Canada's economic growth. That is one of the reasons for investing in and creating various programs to support farms across the country. We are looking to help them, among others, with greener investment projects and investment projects that will allow for growth and development of the value chain.

Farm Credit Canada is seen a financing tool that knows the sector well and can support it in a variety ways. We therefore want to give it additional resources so that the financial services offered to the country's producers through various organizations are grouped within the same organization. This will make it possible to be more efficient and to better support the agricultural sector.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

What is the government doing to address the labour shortage for the beef processing sector?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

As you know, there are foreign worker programs, among others.

A few months ago, a pilot project that will be implemented very soon was announced so that foreign workers who have been offered a full-time job in an agri-food processing business can get a fast-track to permanent residency.

This is a very concrete example of what is being done to help the processing sector have more employees.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Can you tell me what your department knows about the transmissibility of COVID-19 between humans and animals, particularly animals in the agricultural business?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

To my knowledge, there is no scientific evidence indicating that the disease can be transmitted from animal to human or from human to animal.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

You have four seconds.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Can you give us an update on when you expect trade access to be regained with China, India, Italy, Peru, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam?

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Thank you very much, Mr. Calkins.

Now it's Mr. Blois for up to five minutes.

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'll be splitting my time with my colleague, Ms. Bessette.

Minister, when I was on the doorsteps of my riding of Kings—Hants in the lead-up to the election, people talked about the importance of local food and trying to find ways to support local producers in that sense. We—I shouldn't say we; it was before my time in this chamber—introduced a food policy in the last Parliament.

Can you provide some information on what that program has entailed, so I can go back to my constituents in Kings—Hants and let them know about some of the programs that are available?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

With pleasure.

That's something I'm very proud of. I have had the pleasure of conceiving, carrying and bringing the feminist international development policy into the world, but I must give credit where credit is due. The food policy was developed by my colleague Minister MacAulay. I had the pleasure of bringing it into the world, and now I have the pleasure of raising it. We're talking about a financial commitment of $134 million.

There is, among other things, the $50 million local food infrastructure fund. An initial call for proposals was issued last summer. In recent weeks, people have been informed of an initial series of projects.

The key word is “access”. The goal is to ensure that all Canadians have access to quality food products, that our food system develops in an environmentally positive way and that the economy is developed.

The local food infrastructure fund is an important element of the food policy. There is a component around food fraud. When we talk about food fraud, for example, we think about honey. We have investigated and Canadian honey is 100% honey, but we have seen some imports.... It's putting in more resources to make sure that Canadians get what they think they're buying.

There will be an initiative around buy Canadian, and the idea is to strengthen the trust and the pride of Canadians looking at Canadian agriculture. There's a fund for northern and isolated communities, food waste and a school food program.

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Thank you, Minister. That was great.

You are the first Canadian female agriculture minister in the history of this country, which I think is impressive. I'm going to name a couple of farmers who might be watching from home: Veronica Schmidt, Katie Keddy, Alana Bent, Gina Lockett. When I talked to them, they were so excited about having a female in your position. They're the next generation.

You've mentioned the feminist policy within agriculture. Can you talk a bit about that and how we're inspiring women in agriculture?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

I did not realize that it would be so important before I entered into politics. Now I have so many young women coming to me and saying they are inspired and they are glad that this is one more glass ceiling that has been broken.

Now I think I have the responsibility to make sure we have more women around the table, and young women. It's developing their leadership, engaging in their communities and having conversations with those I call “experienced” men to make sure we make some space around the decision table for them. This is why I created the youth council as well, to help as many of them as possible build their leadership, and have the courage to raise their hands and run for office or represent their sector and their region.

[Kody Blois, Liberal, Kings—Hants, NS]

Thank you, Minister.

I'd like to pass the rest of my time to my colleague, Ms. Bessette.

[Lyne Bessette, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Ms. Bibeau, thank you for being with us today. We're happy to have you here.

I have a quick question for you.

There are many small farms in my region. You talked about them briefly earlier.

Is anything concrete being done right now to help people who want to start small organic farms or other similar businesses?

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

There is a whole range of programs.

This gives me an opportunity to talk a little bit about the Canadian agricultural partnership. As its name suggests, it's done in partnership with the provinces, to which significant funds are transferred.

We are talking about $3 billion over five years, $2 billion of which is for provincially administered programs. The federal government contributes 60% and the provincial government, 40%.

Often, it is through provincially administered programs that small businesses can access the funds we provide. This can include market, trade, environmental programs, processing, public confidence and risk management. That is how we can reach smaller organizations.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Thank you, Madam Minister.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Pat Finnigan]

Mr. Perron, you have two and a half minutes.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

I'll come back to the topic of the day, which is the supplementary estimates.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has provided additional resources.

Earlier, you mentioned honey inspection, among other things. Some money will be allocated to customs. This issue was raised a lot in committee by stakeholders in the field, who say that customs inspection may not be effective or that the people on duty may lack the training to properly identify the product entering the country.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

I have full confidence in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Canada Border Services Agency teams.

It's all a matter of resource allocation. If I remember correctly, the food policy allocates $24 million to combat food fraud. The aim is precisely to be able to dedicate more resources to checking what crosses our borders.

The Safe Foods for Canadians Regulations came into force a year ago now. This is another way we can ensure that what we import follows the same rules as what we impose here, on Canadian businesses.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Okay. Thank you.

I would like to talk about succession. We don't often get into the details. The Union des producteurs agricoles has made a request concerning business risk management that would exempt new producers for the first five years of the program. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

As you know, I'm in the process of holding consultations.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

Yes.

[Marie-Claude Bibeau, Liberal, Compton—Stanstead, QC]

It would be interesting for the committee to look at this recommendation.

[Yves Perron, Bloc, Berthier—Maskinongé, QC]

It's going to.