Agriculture Committee on March 21st, 2022

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Thank you.

An issue that's front of mind for a lot of producers right now is that of the CP Rail strike. I'm also wondering, with the potential vaccine mandate that the trucking industry is facing interprovincially, is this something that Agriculture is anticipating? If so, what response can we expect?

[Chris Forbes]

On the rail situation, as the minister mentioned, we are quite engaged—as she is with her counterparts, and we are, of course, at the officials level—in working with the sector to make sure that all of the challenges arising from a strike or stoppage in work are well understood by everyone involved and that we do what we can to mitigate.

I would say more broadly, whether it's on trucker availability or other supply chain-related issues, that we're very alive to concerns in the agriculture and food sector about the stresses the supply chains are under, and that goes for trucker availability, the costs of inputs, ports, rail, everything. These are issues that are front and centre for us in the work we're doing.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

As far as the mandates north-south go, many of the producers in my riding—some of the large hog producers and the feed mills—have reached out to me and indicated that trucking is a problem in terms of getting product from the southern states. Because of the particularly dry summer we had last year, the crop yields weren't what they were expected to be, and the mandates that were implemented some time ago regarding vaccination status to cross the border certainly haven't helped that situation. Those seem to have aggravated the supply. In addition to that, as you indicated, the prices have reflected those mandates as well.

Is the department taking any proactive measures on that?

[Chris Forbes]

Well, in terms of movement of goods, we work with our colleagues in Transport and other departments to do what we can to facilitate that. I think colleagues at CFIA have also been involved, for instance, when we have had issues like highway closures in B.C. with the floods.

In terms of costs, we provide financial support through programs like the advance payments program, which is available to producers to deal with some of the upfront costs of planting and other spring activities before the revenues start to flow. We have a range of tools like that available.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

We're also hearing from a lot of industry-related folks about the labour shortage. That is an issue that has seized this committee in the past.

Recently, the Canada summer jobs program was released. Has your department been recommending to the government that agriculture be made a priority for the Canada summer jobs program?

[Chris Forbes]

We certainly advocate with colleagues across ministries to make them aware of the labour shortage in the agriculture and food industry, as was discussed in the previous session, so whether it's Canada summer jobs, the youth employment strategy or other programming, for the regulatory aspects we are certainly advocating for awareness around the critical labour shortages the sector faces, yes.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

There have been some cost increases with the AgriStability program. Do you expect further increases this coming year?

[Chris Forbes]

You mean the costs of AgriStability? No, the fees would not change this year.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Insofar as CFIA goes, I don't know, Mr. Forbes, if you are going to answer that question or if you want to refer that to your colleagues in CFIA. According to the little feedback I have received over the years that I have been a member of Parliament, CFIA isn't always seen as coming alongside and partnering with industry, but rather as fulfilling only the regulatory function of that.

Does CFIA see that as something in its mandate that could possibly be improved, such that it could have a role that would be more complementary to that of the industry? How does it see that role evolving?

[Chris Forbes]

I will defer to colleagues from the agency on that.

[Sylvie Lapointe, Vice-President, Policy and Programs Branch, Canadian Food Inspection Agency]

We have been very focused on a collaborative relationship with industry. As the regulator, we work very closely with industry members, and in some instances actually co-develop regulatory approaches with them to make sure we are facilitating innovation and flexibility and meeting the needs of industry as well as the needs of the regulator. We very much work with them to avoid unintended consequences.

[The Chair, Liberal, Kody Blois]

Thank you very much, Mr. Falk.

I have just a couple of points.

Mr. Forbes, it was suggested in the room that if you are comfortable and you think it saves battery, you can shut your camera off. We're willing to make that happen. We know who you are and we trust your voice, so I will leave that to your discretion.

Mr. Falk, you had some questions on Canada summer jobs. I know MPs have the ability to help categorize priorities. In Kings—Hants I have put agriculture, and probably other colleagues have as well. That's just for your benefit.

Mr. Forbes, I see your hand. Go ahead, quickly.

[Chris Forbes]

I'm sorry to be so difficult, Mr. Chair. I will try calling back in on my phone, because my computer is really about to crash and I don't seem to be able to save it. If it's okay with you, I will try that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Kody Blois]

Yes. We will work with our technical team and our wonderful clerk.

Right now, though, I'm going to move to Ms. Valdez for six minutes.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Good afternoon, colleagues and Chair.

Thank you to all the witnesses who are providing input into this discussion.

Many groups are under-represented in Canadian agriculture, whether they are youth, women, indigenous people or persons with disabilities.

Can the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food share what initiatives are in place to help address the key issues and barriers they often face to thriving in the sector?

I know Mr. Forbes had to step out, so this is for Madame Guérard.

[Marie-Claude Guérard, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Management Branch, Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food]

Good afternoon.

I don't have the details relating to this question at the moment, Ms. Valdez, so I will answer it later.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

No problem.

I have two kids, so I'm really mindful about youth and the future of our youth. In the supplementary estimates, I saw that there was a $4-million transfer from Employment and Social Development Canada to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada youth employment and skills strategy.

I really wanted to know, because this is a very positive strategy, if there's anything you can provide as far as insight goes on how those funds will be spent. Or will we have to defer to Mr. Forbes?

[Marie-Claude Guérard]

I can answer part of the question.

Actually, following the biannual reallocations under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, Employment and Social Development Canada transferred $4 million to Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. The total amount for the department is $24.6 million for the current year.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Would you happen to know if any other government departments will be engaged to plan out this strategy?

[Marie-Claude Guérard]

It is actually a horizontal initiative, but I don't have the names of the other departments. I will be able to answer that question later.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

No worries.

In terms of upscaling, would you happen to know how this program will be deployed? Are there any comments you have on the program overall?

[Marie-Claude Guérard]

I don't have the details for that question at hand.

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Go ahead, Mr. Forbes.

[Chris Forbes]

I missed the beginning of the question, but I have rebooted.

Can you tell me which program you were talking about?

[Rechie Valdez, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

Sure. No problem. Welcome back, Mr. Forbes.

Essentially, I was just explaining how I noticed in the estimates that $4 million was transferred from Employment and Social Development Canada to the Agriculture and Agri-Food program with youth. If there is anything you can comment on as to how the funds will be spent, or if you have any comments on the program overall, it would be greatly appreciated.