QUESTION PERIOD — Agriculture and Agri-Food
Export Targets
December 11, 2019
Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. First, Senator Harder, I’d like to thank you for your hard work and dedication in the role over many years. It’s a difficult job, and you’ve handled it with competence and grace.
In 2017, the government’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth, chaired by Dominic Barton, identified agriculture as a key sector for potential growth. The Barton report set out a target to grow Canada’s agri-food exports from $55 billion in 2015 to at least $75 billion in 2025. However, agriculture was barely mentioned in last week’s Speech from the Throne that took place in this very chamber.
Senator Harder, are we on track to meet that goal, and what is the government doing to support agriculture and agri-food in order to meet the Barton export targets in a short five years?
I thank the honourable senator for his comments. I appreciate them. With respect to the agricultural sector, it remains a sector of vital importance for Canada’s export markets. If I could, I would suggest we be vigilant in comments we make, particularly with Asian markets, China especially, which is a significant and important market for Canadian agricultural exports. Clearly, the ambitions that Dominic Barton and his commission made are important ones. There are a number of them, as the honourable senator will know. It is now for the government to set its targets with respect to the sector.
The minister is vigilant and will be bringing forward appropriate measures in the course of this mandate, working with her colleagues across the aisle. I would hope the Senate of Canada, particularly in its Agriculture Committee, could advance the interests of the sector to demonstrate how vital the growth you wish for is not only for the agricultural sector but to the Canadian economy, generally.
