What Should Alberta's Agricultural Policy Priorities Be?
Official title: Agricultural policy framework engagement
Why This Matters
Food prices and farm viability affect everyone. This framework shaped how Alberta supports farmers managing drought, market swings, and climate challenges. If you buy Alberta beef, grain, or produce, these policies touched your grocery bill.
What Could Change
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership launched in April 2018 with $406 million over five years. Based on public feedback, programs now focus on expanding trade, supporting sustainable growth in agri-food processing, and helping farmers manage business risks. This replaced the previous Growing Forward 2 framework.
Key Issues
- How should Alberta expand agricultural markets and trade?
- What science and innovation investments does the sector need?
- How can farmers better manage business risks like drought and price swings?
- How should agriculture address environmental sustainability and climate change?
- How can value-added agriculture and agri-food processing grow in Alberta?
What Happened
The consultation led to the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), a $406 million federal-provincial investment over five years. Based on Albertan feedback, the program focuses on three priorities: growing trade and expanding markets, supporting innovative and sustainable growth in agri-based products, and helping farmers manage business risks through effective management programs.