Ag ministers wrap up FPT meetings in Winnipeg

Announced programs let farmers know the government has their backs, the federal minister said

The federal government will support farmers as work continues to restore market access.

That’s part of the message federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald told reporters Tuesday after two days of federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) meetings in Winnipeg.

Recently announced programs and investments aren’t the silver bullet, “but it’s certainly something that we need to execute to ensure and let farmers know that we have their backs, and we will continue to have their backs,” the minister said while acknowledging that open markets are what farmers want and need.

The two days of meetings included farm tours and roundtable discussions with industry reps.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, for example, highlighted four key priorities for the sector – competitiveness, labour, sustainability, and trade.

Topics like BRM programs, transportation and logistics, the next policy framework to replace the Sustainable CAP, reducing internal trade barriers and red tape, and animal disease preparedness and response, were also part of the FPT meeting agenda.

During a question-and-answer period from reporters, Minister McDonald received a question about potentially barring imports of used cooking oil from China.

The minister highlighted the delicate nature of the issue, especially with a Canadian delegation currently in China.

“We have to be very strategic in how we approach this, but it's certainly something that's on our radar. If it's putting us at an unfair advantage, then we have to address it at some point," he said. "Right now, with the diplomatic solutions that we're trying to come to on the forefront on all of this, might not be the appropriate time to start challenging them on it, due to the fact with things like Mr. Moe being in China, but we will address it. It will be addressed in due time."

The FPT agriculture ministers will meet in Nova Scotia in 2026.