As Parliament resumes its important work after the summer recess, the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) is urging policymakers to prioritize food security and the sustainability of Canada’s agricultural sector.

The return of Parliament marks a crucial time to advance policies that ensure a stable and secure food supply for Canadians. FVGC, representing fruit and vegetable growers nationwide, is eager to collaborate with Members of Parliament and Senators on issues that are essential to the well-being of our country.

“The challenges facing our industry are directly linked to the food security of all Canadians,” said Marcus Janzen, President of FVGC. “As we welcome Parliamentarians back to their duties, we emphasize the need for robust policies that support the continued growth and resilience of Canada’s fruit and vegetable sector. We also urge the government to consider policies through a food security lens, recognizing that every policy decision can have an impact on our nation’s ability to feed itself.”

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (AGRI) recently released a report titled Improving the Resilience of Canada's Horticulture Sector, which outlines several key recommendations that align with these goals. Some of the recommendations include: 

• Crop Protection: Securing sufficient funding for the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and the Pest Management Centre to provide innovative and effective crop protection products for fruit and vegetable growers, safeguarding a reliable food supply.

• Business Risk Management Programs: Enhancing Business Risk Management (BRM) systems to better respond to the impacts of climate change, safeguarding the livelihoods of growers.

• Labour Supply and Workforce Stability: Addressing long work permit approval times, especially for applications from within Canada, and reducing backlogs to ensure timely access to essential labor for growers. It's vital to preserve the distinction between the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and other streams within the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program, like AgStream and the Low-Wage stream, to sustain the agricultural workforce.

“These priorities are not just about the success of our growers—they are about the food on Canadians’ tables,” Janzen added. “We are committed to working with Parliament to implement the recommendations in the AGRI report and secure a future where every Canadian has access to fresh, Canadian grown produce.”