As we work toward our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and begin to build back better, it is more important than ever that the Government of Canada invests in services that are essential to the security and growth of Canadian agriculture and agri-food businesses.

"Our Government is investing in the CFIA so that Canada continues to have the best food safety system in the world, with the best science to protect our natural resources and tools that help businesses keep up with the pace of trade. It will help CFIA digitize their services and issue export certificates in a timely manner. It also means CFIA will have the tools necessary to guard our natural resources and agriculture sector from the threat of foreign pests and diseases."
– The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

"The CFIA does important work to keep Canadians, our food supply, animals and plants healthy and safe. Today's announcement will ensure that the Agency can continue this work, and will maximize its positive impact on Canadians."
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health 

"The CFIA is committed to developing a modern, agile, inclusive and digitally equipped workforce to meet the current and future challenges and opportunities of the federal public service."
– Siddika Mithani, President of the CFIA 

• This investment represents approximately a 5% increase to CFIA's annual budget, and builds on a number of other investments the Government of Canada has made in the CFIA over the past years (see links below). 

• For the first eleven months of 2020, Canadian agri-food and seafood exports increased by 10.1%, reaching $67.5 billion compared to $61.4 billion at the same time last year. Exports have already surpassed last year's record of $67 billion. 

• Total Canadian agri-food imports reached $53.9 billion in 2019. 

• Over the last seven years, the number of export certificates for food, plant and animal products issued by the CFIA has increased by an average of 6% per year, going from close to 384,000 certificates in 2014 to approximately 545,000 certificates in 2020. 

• This funding supports the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food's mandate of "maximizing the Government's policy and financial tools to support the sector, particularly its global export growth potential." 

• The agriculture and agri-food industry alone contributes over $110B annually to Canada's gross domestic product. 

• Canada has 14 Free Trade Agreements, covering 51 countries, giving Canadian agri-food industry a competitive edge in 2/3 of the global market. 

Related products

• Government of Canada provides $20 million to safeguard Canada's food supply by supporting critical food inspection services
• Government of Canada provides $24.4 million to tackle food fraud as part of Food Policy for Canada
• Government of Canada provides $31 million to respond to the threat of African swine fever
• Government of Canada announced $27.2 million for the continued digitization of CFIA services
• My CFIA: Your access to online services
• Digital Service Delivery Platform (DSDP): Consistent and efficient inspections
• Understanding the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
• Backgrounder – Government of Canada invests $162.6 million to strengthen Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Jean-Sébastien Comeau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
343-549-2326

Media Relations
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
613 773-6600
cfia.media.acia@canada.ca

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