Mr. Speaker, today is Canada's 10th Agriculture Day, recognizing farmers and agri-food workers.
While this should be a day of celebration, the government has instead allowed Canada to lead the G7 in food inflation. This is not a failure of Canada's farmers or our agricultural sector; it is the result of short-sighted government policies. Rather than cutting costs where they actually matter, the government is piling them on. The industrial carbon tax, labelling and packaging regulations and the fuel standard tax drive up the cost of groceries.
At the same time, Ottawa is cutting in the wrong places. CFIA's decision to scrap destination inspection services without industry consultation, along with ag research centre closures, undermines reliability, competitiveness and trust in Canada's food quality. This makes Canada a weaker trading partner, leading to higher prices.
If the government is serious about food affordability and security, it must stop making short-sighted decisions from Ottawa and start listening to the people who actually provide our food. Canada's farmers do not need to be managed; they need to be heard.