Governments of Canada and British Columbia agree to five year partnership to grow B.C.'s agricultural economy 

News release

April 10, 2018 - Victoria, British Columbia - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

British Columbia’s hard-working farmers and food processors are a key component of the economy and continue to see a growing global demand for their world-class products. The federal and provincial governments have agreed to a five-year funding partnership to help B.C.’s agriculture and agri-foods sector meet those demands.

Today, federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and B.C. Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced that the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will result in a five-year investment of $115 million in B.C. programs that offer widespread support to the farming, ranching and food processing sectors.

 The five-year, $3-billion Canadian Agricultural Partnership includes $2 billion cost-shared strategic initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories, and $1 billion for federal programs and services. Under the Partnership, farmers will also continue to have access to a complete and effective suite of business risk management programs to help them manage significant risks that threaten the viability of their farm and that are beyond their capacity to manage.

The Partnership replaces Growing Forward 2, the five-year federal-provincial agreement that ended on March 31, 2018.

Quotes

"Our governments recognize the important role that the agriculture and agri-food sector plays in British Columbia. I am tremendously proud to announce this agreement under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which will help grow the economy, support environmental sustainability and help the sector better reflect the diversity of our communities."

- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Lawrence MacAulay

"British Columbia is developing programs that will help farmers, ranchers and food processors create new technology and products, expand sales, improve their efficiency and sustainability, and protect themselves from crop losses and income declines.  We’re also looking at ways to support new entrants and young farmers, so agriculture in B.C. attracts new businesses, revenues and employees, and reaches new levels of success in the next five years."

- British Columbia Minister of Agriculture, Lana Popham

Quick facts

  • The Partnership will offer enhanced programs for market development, agri-technology and on-farm and processor food safety, as well as continuing climate adaptation, the Environmental Farm Plan program, and business development services.

  • New programs will also target knowledge transfer from agricultural leaders to new farmers, as well as a continued suite of support services to prepare and support new entrants.

  • Specific program details will be available at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs as they open for applications.

Associated links

Contacts

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
media.relations@agr.gc.ca 
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Dave Townsend
Government Communications and Public Engagement 
Ministry of Agriculture, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
250-356-7098

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