Help Shape Alberta's Agricultural Investment Priorities (2023-2028)

Official title: Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (2023-2028) Engagement

Closed Policy & Studies Agriculture & Food Economy & Jobs Environment & Climate

Alberta gathered feedback on how to spend $508 million in federal-provincial agricultural funding over five years. The engagement covered climate adaptation, farm water management, research priorities, and sector growth. Three phases of consultation ran from 2021 to 2023, with results now published.

Why This Matters

Food prices affect everyone's grocery bill. This $3.5 billion investment shapes what Alberta farmers grow and how they adapt to drought and climate change. If you eat food from Alberta—or care about water use on the prairies—these decisions ripple through to you.

What Could Change

Program funding will shift based on feedback received. Climate adaptation programs, irrigation infrastructure, and research grants could see more or less money. Changes to Business Risk Management programs may affect how farmers handle crop failures and market swings.

Key Issues

How should Alberta prioritize climate change and environmental programs for agriculture?
What investments are needed for on-farm water management and irrigation?
How can science, research and innovation funding best support the sector?
What changes are needed to Business Risk Management programs?

How to Participate

Review the Phase 3 What We Heard report to see how feedback shaped the current framework.
Learn about the Sustainable CAP program to understand current funding priorities.

What Happened

Three phases of engagement were completed between 2021 and 2023. Phase 1 ran from June 11 to July 2, 2021, gathering feedback through online surveys, virtual sessions, and written submissions. Phase 2 occurred in late spring 2022 using surveys, virtual roundtables, and an email campaign. Phase 3 collected feedback from November 23 to December 10, 2023 through four online surveys. Input has been packaged and shared with Sustainable CAP program areas for review, with changes to be brought forward for approval and implementation in 2024.