Policy Priorities
THE POLICY PRIORITIES OF CANADA’S FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS
A TIPPING POINT: MAKING FOOD SECURITY A NATIONAL PRIORITY
Canada’s fruit and vegetable growers are facing significant strain. Trade disruptions, global instability, rising input costs, labour pressures, extreme weather, pests, and disease are making it increasingly difficult to remain viable as a grower in Canada.
Food security cannot be taken for granted. Federal decisions on regulation, trade, labour, infrastructure, and program funding all affect whether Canada can maintain a secure supply of Canadian-grown fruit and vegetables.
That is why FVGC is calling on the federal government to apply a food lens across federal decision-making.
These are our policy priorities:
1. APPLYING A FOOD LENS TO POLICY MAKING
A food lens means assessing federal policies, regulations, and programs based on their impact on:
- domestic food production;
- supply chains;
- grower competitiveness;
- farm viability;
- access to healthy food;
- avoidable food waste; and
- lost market access.
A food lens cannot be applied after decisions are made. It must shape how federal priorities are set, how risk is assessed, and how impacts on domestic food production are weighed.
The federal government’s commitment to consider food security in Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Pesticides Regulatory Directorate (PRD) decision-making is an important step. However, food security must be considered across all federal departments and agencies.
FVGC recommends the Government of Canada:
- Embed a food lens in all federal decision-making.
- Update the Cabinet Directive on Regulation so policies and regulations support domestic food production, grower competitiveness, and farm viability.
- Require departments and agencies to assess avoidable food waste and lost market access as core regulatory impacts.
2. BUSINESS RISK MANAGEMENT
The financial situation of Canadian fruit and vegetable operations has deteriorated over the last decade. Existing Business Risk Management programs do not adequately meet the evolving needs of fruit and vegetable growers.
FVGC is calling for modernized BRM programs that support risk reduction, domestic food production, and food security.
Read more about FVGC’s Business Risk Management recommendations.
3. SECURING TRADE COMPETITIVENESS FOR CANADA’S FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SECTOR
Canada’s fruit and vegetable sector is highly exposed to trade disruptions, border delays, import surges, and changes in international market access. Many fruits and vegetables are highly perishable and difficult to redirect once they are market-ready.
FVGC is calling for trade policies that reflect the realities of perishable production and support fair competition, reliable export access, and a strong domestic supply of Canadian-grown fruit and vegetables.
Read more about FVGC’s trade recommendations.
4. ENSURING LABOUR STABILITY FOR CANADA’S FRESH PRODUCE SECTOR
Labour
Canada’s fruit and vegetable sector depends on access to workers to plant, manage, harvest, pack, and ship highly perishable crops. When labour is unavailable, delayed, or uncertain, growers face immediate operational risks, including lost crops, reduced production, and weakened competitiveness.
FVGC is calling for federal labour programs that protect workers while providing fair, timely, and consistent treatment for compliant employers.
5. PROVIDING ACCESS TO A RANGE OF EFFECTIVE CROP PROTECTION TOOLS
Growers need timely access to effective crop protection tools to manage pests, diseases, weeds, invasive species, and extreme weather pressures. Without effective tools, Canada risks reduced crop yield and quality, higher food losses, greater dependence on imports, and weakened domestic food security.
FVGC is calling for crop protection decision-making that reflects the realities of horticulture and supports timely access to the tools growers need.
For more information
please contact us by submitting this form.