OFA submitted a response to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s consultation on the Next Policy Framework (2028-2033).
OFA argues that the Next Policy Framework should prioritize farm resilience as the foundation for improving competitiveness, productivity, innovation, and sustainability. OFA emphasizes that strengthening existing Business Risk Management (BRM) programs is essential to providing producers with the certainty needed to invest, grow, and respond to increasing economic and environmental risks.
OFA’s recommendations include:
- Modernize and strengthen BRM programs by restoring the AgriStability payment trigger to 85%, making recent program enhancements permanent, improving AgriInvest flexibility, increasing the Advance Payments Program interest-free limit to $350,000, and better supporting diversified farms.
- Increase investment in agricultural research, innovation, digital technologies, and infrastructure to improve productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness.
- Expand domestic food processing, strengthen supply chains, reduce interprovincial trade barriers, and pursue new export opportunities.
- Continue and expand support for environmental stewardship through enhanced cost-share programs and streamlined program delivery.
- Address ongoing labour shortages and support farm succession through targeted funding and tax reforms.
Overall, OFA calls for a stable, modernized policy framework that provides producers with the confidence to invest, adopt innovation, strengthen environmental performance, and support the long-term competitiveness and resilience of Canadian agriculture.