As the Next Policy Framework takes shape, this opening panel will set the foundation for the day by examining Canada’s current agricultural policy landscape. Panelists will explore what is working, where gaps exist, and what must evolve to ensure programs are responsive, accessible and effective.
Shaun Haney, Founder, RealAgriculture – Moderator
Shaun Haney is the founder of RealAgriculture, a leading North American ag media platform delivering news and insights on policy, agronomy, and farm management. He hosts RealAg Radio on SiriusXM’s Rural Radio Channel 147 and RealAg on the Weekend across Saskatchewan and Alberta. Shaun is also a regular contributor to RFD-TV, Agritalk, and US Farm Report, and co-leads RealAgristudies, a farmer-focused market research initiative launched in 2019.
Lorna McKercher, National Director, Agriculture Strategy, RBC
Lorna McKercher resides on a crop farm outside Seaforth Ontario, with her husband John, and two children, Caitlin and Finlay. She is actively involved in her local community as a 4H leader and vice president of Seaforth Agricultural Society.
As National Director Agriculture Strategy at RBC, Lorna is responsible to help guide the policy, strategy and marketing to help the Agriculture portfolio within RBC grow and prosper.
Lorna has worked in business finance for over 29 years with a focus on Agriculture and Agri-business. Her experience includes relationship manager, credit analyst, Sr. relationship management, Manager of Financial Specialists, Vice President Agriculture in Southwestern Ontario and then in current role 2 and 1/2 years ago.
Lorna grew up in Thorndale. She is a graduate of University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture and holds an MBA in Financial Services from Dalhousie University.
Tyler McCann, Managing Director, Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute
Tyler McCann is the managing director of the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. His career includes working for federal ministers, farm groups, industry associations and agri-food businesses. Tyler operates a cow-calf and goat farm with his family in western Quebec.
Marvin Slingerland, Senior Vice-President, Agriculture Services, MNP
Marvin Slingerland, CPA, CA, is Senior Vice President, Agriculture with MNP, and is located in Lethbridge, Alberta. Drawing on more than 20 years of finance and agriculture experience, Marvin leads a team of dedicated professionals serving over 25,000 MNP clients in the agricultural, food processing, and farm management sectors across Canada. Marvin is well versed in risk management programs, government relations, succession planning, benchmarking and enterprise analysis, delivering advice and solutions to help his team and their respective clients to succeed.
Marvin’s invaluable sector experience enables him to provide top-notch leadership based on critical industry insights and deep knowledge. Marvin takes pride in helping his team grow their clients’ operations to their full potential. Designated as a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2013, Marvin has a Bachelor of Management degree from the University of Lethbridge.
Allan Melvin, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture
Allan Melvin actively farms on his family’s 6th generation vegetable farm in Pereaux, Kings County. After studying Business Administration at Acadia University, Allan obtained his Chartered Accountants designation and worked across Canada and Internationally before settling back to rural Nova Scotia, where he resides with his wife Heather and two sons Ryker and Arlo.
In addition to working on the family farm, Allan also works at Bishop and Company Chartered Professional Accountants, where he provides accounting and advisory services with a focus on Agriculture based clients. Allan splits his time between these two roles, which allow him to support the agriculture industry in many ways.
Allan is currently a board member on the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council. Allan has also earned a certificate from Texas A&M for his participation in The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP).