Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee, for the opportunity to appear before you today.
My name is Pierre Petelle. I'm the president and CEO of CropLife Canada, representing the innovators in plant science committed to helping Canadian farmers grow more food more sustainably and more competitively.
Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector is not only foundational to our food security; it is one of the country's greatest economic engines. This sector contributes nearly $150 billion annually to Canada's GDP and also supports 2.3 million jobs, more than the automotive, forestry, steel, aluminum, and oil and gas sectors combined.
With focused leadership, strategic investment and a policy environment that champions research and innovation, Canada's agri-food sector has the potential to grow by an additional $100 billion annually and becoming a $250-billion industry by 2035.
That opportunity should shape how we think about business risk management. BRM programs are an essential pillar of Canada's agricultural policy framework. In a sector increasingly shaped by climate pressures, market volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and rising production costs, these programs must remain effective and responsive, but if we're serious about resilience and growth, we must also look beyond reactive supports and address the broader policy and regulatory environment that determines whether Canadian agriculture can compete and expand.
For example, ensuring timely access to the latest seed genetics and crop protection tools ensures we stay competitive with other markets. These tools are a form of business risk management in and of themselves. Seed genetics that better withstand drought or flood, and crop protection solutions to address devastating pests all help to minimize reliance on BRM payouts.
As the committee considers modernization of the next federal-provincial-territorial agreement, CropLife Canada encourages a stronger focus on clearly defined policy outcomes, policy coherence and accountability, which are all things that are 100% in our control.
Governments must establish measurable outcomes and timelines for regulatory modernization. Canada's agriculture and food sector has extraordinary growth potential, but that potential is often too constrained by unnecessary red tape, duplication and regulatory delays that hinder innovation and drive investment elsewhere. As you have heard from other witnesses already, there are practical, surgical, no-cost measures that governments can take immediately to reduce administrative burden, improve efficiency and restore Canada’s reputation as a place to invest in agricultural innovation.
Roles and responsibilities within the FPT framework must be clarified to ensure governments work in greater coordination and with greater purpose. Farmers, innovators and value-chain partners need consistency, transparency and timely decision-making. Regulatory reform, policy alignment and implementation discipline must be treated as central components of this BRM, because regulatory uncertainty is itself a significant business risk.
Now is truly the time for Canada to modernize its approach to regulation, to regulate for growth while maintaining the highest standards for health, safety and environmental protection. A world-class regulatory system not only should safeguard Canadians but also should enable innovation, productivity and economic opportunity.
Lastly, in a global environment where the traditional rules-based trading order is increasingly under strain, Canada must play a stronger leadership role in defending science-based decision-making. Canada’s long-term competitiveness depends on maintaining strong, credible, science-based regulatory systems at home and championing those principles internationally.
Thank you very much.