Thank you, Madam Chair.
I express my gratitude to the committee and its members for providing me with the opportunity to address the crucial role the Government of Canada plays in supporting our agri-food businesses.
These businesses contribute significantly to both domestic and global supply chains, enhance exports and play integral roles in the agriculture sector.
Our agriculture and agri-food sectors serve as pivotal drivers of economic growth, as evidenced by the impressive $92.9 billion in exports recorded in 2022, marking a 12.7% increase over the year prior. However, we continue efforts to diversify access to markets to mitigate risks associated with the concentration of our exports—and there is work to do—with 84% of trade currently heading to key markets such as the United States, the European Union, China, Japan and Mexico.
Under the sustainable Canadian agricultural partnership, priority areas include market development and trade, as well as the growth, competitiveness and capacity building within the sector.
Recognizing the challenges posed by the global trading environment, including non-tariff barriers, protectionist policies and various trade-influencing factors, the government actively collaborates with the sector to navigate these complexities.
Our approach to sector diversification involves growing trade with existing priority markets, expanding into emerging markets and managing risks effectively. The establishment of the Indo-Pacific agriculture and agri-food office in Manila exemplifies our commitment to strategic diversification efforts.
This initiative aims to enhance government capacity in the region, address market challenges proactively, and sustain and expand trade with priority markets. Ongoing free trade agreement negotiations, particularly with partners in the Indo-Pacific region, play a vital role in preserving an open, rules-based international trading system and in unlocking new supply chain opportunities.
To strengthen our global presence, the government actively engages in multilateral fora such as the World Trade Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the G7 and G20, and various international standard-setting bodies.
Back home, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada diligently ensures a robust and stable food supply chain, responding promptly to challenges like severe weather events and labour shortages.
We support efforts by other government departments to enhance supply chain fluidity and resiliency through initiatives like the transportation supply chain office and investments in data efforts.
The $4.6-billion national trade corridors fund is investing in infrastructure projects that strengthen trade corridors and supply chain competitiveness.
A few investments of note that are supporting agriculture supply chains in particular include the $102-million investment at the port of Vancouver to increase the efficiency of roads and rail traffic and to improve flow to marine terminals, the $100-million investment at the Edmonton International Airport in 2022 to increase cargo and logistics handling capacity, and the $26.3-million investment to expand and improve the Archer Daniels Midland Company grain terminal at the port of Windsor.
In conclusion, Madam Chair, our actions are aimed at fostering a resilient agriculture and agri-food sector. The government is committed to taking concrete steps to ensure that Canadian businesses have access to both new and existing supply chains, both at home and abroad.
Thank you.