Submissions

CFA submitted comments on the impacts of a potential rail strike, noting that it would negatively impact farmer finances, Canada’s reputation as a dependable trade partner and that farmers cannot afford the uncertainty caused by a rail strike.

We request that the Government of Canada oppose the adoption of any indicator that is based on use, as it would contradict the agreed text of Target 7 at COP 15. In addition, during these negotiations we ask the Government of Canada to focus on the development of indicators that will better address the issue of pesticide pollution risk reduction.

CFA welcomes the development of this framework for pesticide water monitoring programs in Canada and supports the development of these programs.

The submission outlined the many concerns that CFA membership had over these proposed codes, as well as recommendations on how to formulate them with agriculture building in mind, including providing exemptions.

We recommend that the employer’s ability to re-assign existing non-unionized workers within a company, including management staff, be maintained when necessary to maintain Canada’s domestic food and feed supply. Our hope would be that management could still provide critical functions during such stoppages to allow the flow of agricultural goods.

The CFA has repeatedly called on the Government of Canada to ensure that the PMRA is appropriately resourced and supports measures to improve its core activities, fuel its Transformation Agenda, and reduce the backlog in product review and re-evaluation. However, the CFA wishes to express concern over the rate of the increase in the modernization of fees for pest control products, especially taking into account that this is the first of two phases, the second phase being planned for 2028 and would entail further increases.

If the Bill is to proceed, the following specific amendments to the Bill are necessary to avoid any unintended consequences for Canadian producers.

– Recommendation #1: That Section 4(2) (I) be removed to allow the Advisory Committee theflexibility to undertake its mandate and to focus its attention on pandemic prevention andpreparedness. Specifically, our concerns relate to the use of the words “regulate” and “phase out.” It is recommended this wording be removed or changed to consistently use “assess” or “summarize.”

– Recommendation #2: That the Bill include language that encourages continued support andenforcement of existing biosecurity initiatives, including industry-led initiatives.

– Recommendation #3: That the reference to “high-risk species” in Section 4 (2) (I). iv. be clearly defined.

CFA notes that the 2035 emission reduction targets must take into consideration the triple bottom-line definition of sustainability and set achievable targets informed by data and evidence.

The CFA supports the analysis and recommendations contained in the Final Report of the National Supply Chain Task Force (the Report), including the Task Force’s vision of creating a connected, resilient and efficient supply chain system in Canada. In particular, the CFA supports the Report’s conclusions that “as Canada’s trade volumes continue to increase, investment in critical infrastructure assets such as seaports, railways, highways and roads, and airports must also increase to meet demand.

CFA acknowledges that adjustments need to be made to comply with the findings of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) panel. At the same time, the CFA supports the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) in requesting that any changes be limited only to those that are necessary to comply with the panel and doesn’t lead to overcorrection.

CFA supports providing an immediate $8 million budget increase, with full annual inflationary increases thereafter, to the Pest Management Centre (PMC) to expand its research on alternative crop protection and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, addressing the backlog due to prolonged underfunding, and support the center’s activities.

CFA supports providing an immediate $8 million budget increase, with full annual inflationary increases thereafter, to the PMC.