Canada needs innovation, extension, unity to overcome risk

The ability of the agriculture sector to manage risk examined at recent CAPI policy exchange event

Canadian farmers, agricultural businesses, and others must speak with a united voice, and think hard about what they need to succeed in a more chaotic world, according to panelists at a Ag Policy Exchange hosted by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.

Sustainability a shared global challenge

Sustainability a shared global challenge

Sustainability was the focus at day one of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI)’s Canadian Agri-Food in a Sustainable World conference in Ottawa Oct. 2. Across five panels, speakers discussed sustainability, policy solutions and what the agriculture sector can learn from international peers and other Canadian industries. In this video, Claire Citeau, a CAPI Distinguished […] Read more

Screenshot

Report highlights optimism, resignation in agriculture sector

Belief industry and government can remedy policy, extreme weather, and trade issues varies considerably

A troublesome policy and regulatory environment, extreme weather, and trade barriers are the issues keeping Canadian agriculture professionals awake at night. Why it matters: Many within Canada’s agriculture sector think the country lacks an industry-wide strategic approach for overcoming chronic and complex problems. That’s according to a joint report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute […] Read more

A new report commissioned by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute says animal agriculture in Canada produces $90 billion in sales, 164,000 direct jobs and roughly two-and-a-half times that in indirect jobs.

Getting schooled on animal agriculture

CAPI report looks to set firmer animal agriculture background for policymakers

Glacier FarmMedia – A new report commissioned by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) seeks to educate policymakers about the impact of animal agriculture at economic, social and environmental levels. The report, called “Forces Impacting Animal Agriculture In Canada: A Synthesis,” delves into issues surrounding beef, dairy and poultry production in the country and how […] Read more

ontario autumn

Saving the mid-sized farm

Policy paper suggests altering institutions to offset cost burdens could support smaller farms without harming larger ones

Statistics Canada data indicates the number of mid-sized farms continues to decrease while comparatively large and very large farms gain in size and number. According to analysts at the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, a Guelph-based agricultural economics think-tank, the trend poses risks for the sector as a whole. The question is: what could stop the […] Read more


Doug Hedley, assistant deputy minister of farm financial programs from 2001-04, says AgriRecovery is the right program to use during this year’s widespread drought.

More flexibility urged for next ag policy round

Former assistant deputy agriculture minister says farm programs must be designed differently because world has changed

Glacier FarmMedia – Rising east-west tensions could erode the foundation of Canada’s agricultural policy framework even as governments negotiate the next one, says a former federal civil servant. Douglas Hedley, in a paper commissioned by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute, said the stability established through common policies 20 years ago is now shaky. He helped […] Read more

The world’s population relies mostly on the food from five plants, including corn.

Opinion: Big solutions recommended for Canada’s food system

The Canadian Agri-food Policy Institute (CAPI) recently hosted the Big Solutions Forum, an event where private industry, producers and government officials discuss Canada’s food system. A theme throughout the dialogue was that a systemic approach will be necessary to achieve any meaningful impact. This prompted me to try to further understand the purpose of a […] Read more

Canada’s food system faced a severe jolt when the vast majority of food purchasing moved to grocery stores.

Study looks at COVID-19 and food system

The hope is that the results will help strengthen food system emergency planning

Two of Canada’s leading think tanks in agriculture and food policy are working together to try to understand the implications of and lessons from COVID-19’s effects on the Canadian food system. Why it matters: The COVID-19 crisis has shown some weaknesses in the Canadian agri-food system, although food has remained widely available. The Arrell Food […] Read more


The U.S.-China deal spits in the face of long-standing international trade rules by offering special accommodations to the benefit of only two countries.

Opinion: Managed trade changes global trade order

China-U.S. deal heralds new era of two-country trade focus

Glacier FarmMedia – I suspect farmers of a certain vintage think more about China than they ever expected. Given the significance that Chinese decisions have on Canadian producers, it is easy to forget the trade relationship between the two countries is less than 30 years old. Yet here we are, once again curious to know […] Read more

Shopping cart full of groceries

CAPI report focuses on quality of export growth

Exports are part of the agri-food sector’s journey — not the destination

There was heady excitement last year when the federal government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth, led by Dominic Barton, identified agriculture as one of six sectors that could lead this country’s economy over the next decade. The prevailing response from within the sector was that ‘finally,’ agriculture is being acknowledged for the economic powerhouse it […] Read more