Agriculture ministers from across the country gathered in Halifax on July 17 to discuss the future of the industry in Canada.
According to the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Heath MacDonald and Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture Greg Morrow, much of this year’s conference was spent discussing managing the risks farmers face.
MacDonald said in 2025 the sector had record exports of over $100 billion dollars, but that there were still positive changes the government was looking to make to encourage growth the industry.
Some changes proposed at the meeting include changes to non arms-length labour and contract work to recognize compensation paid to family members for work on the farm, making contract work like cutting hay an eligible expense and considering permanently increasing AgriStability payments from $3 million to $6 million dollars.
“We’re trying to come together as a group of ministers and colleagues to make sure we’re looking out for farmers,” said MacDonald. “Farmers feed us. We want to make sure that we recognize the impediments that they’re faced with on a daily basis.”
Environmental disasters, like wild fires and last year’s droughts in Nova Scotia were also at the forefront of the conversation.
“Working with our colleagues in environment and climate change, there’s mechanisms there to help farms adapt to the climate reality that is today,” said Morrow. “It’s an ongoing discussion, and it’s a part of our federal and provincial suite of programs.”
Last month, the provincial and federal governments announced a $25 million AgriRecovery fund to help Nova Scotia livestock and blueberry producers who were impacted by severe droughts last year.
“Nova Scotia farmers and producers faced an extremely difficult year as a result of last summer’s drought,” said Morrow. “We have been working closely with industry and producers throughout this situation, and this funding will help operations recover and continue contributing to Nova Scotia’s food supply and rural economy.”
The group said they aim to finalize details to any changes made by 2027.
