(Supplied photo/Government of Canada)

By Alice McFarlane

agriculture ministers meet to discuss key issues

Agriculture ministers discuss tariffs, business risk management and wildfires at their annual conference

Sep 9, 2025 | 4:05 PM

Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers wrapped up two days of meetings in Winnipeg, Man. where trade issues dominated discussions.

There were visits to a grain farm and a dairy operation to get producers’ views on various trade situations, such as Chinese canola tariffs and US pressure to change Canada’s supply management system.

The ministers held a wrap up news conference this morning at the conclusion of the event.

As expected, the first question dealt with Chinese canola tariffs. Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald was asked if he had any information on what was happening with the Premier Scott Moe led trade mission in China this week.

“We haven’t been debriefed as of today, obviously, but Premier Scott Moe and the parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minister are there meeting with officials and part of the process is reestablishing those ties and those friendships front and center with the Chinese government and a big part of that,” MacDonald said.

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As producers are in the process of combining the 2025 canola crop there is a lot of concern surrounding whether there will be a market for the seed. MacDonald said there have been some announcements in the past week by the Prime Minister relevant to support. But first and foremost, he understands opening that market is the main concern.

“It’s number one among producers and that’s what we’re going to work towards. And look, we’re going to do it and take this day by day. It’s a very fragile situation that we find ourselves in with the Chinese,” he said. “But having Premier Moe in China and officials engaging at the highest level is important to get this resolved as quickly as possible.”

Tariffs were not the only topic of discussion. Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said Business Risk Management (BRM) programs, such as AgriStability, are slated for renewal in 2028.

“We need to have more of a solid foundation of BRM programs, not only dealing with environmental or climate conditions, but there needs to be, as the federal government made an announcement earlier, the AgriStability program has been enhanced,” Kostyshyn said. “But, I think that the equation needs to be also measured again, because things do change, costs continue to rise. Simplifying the equation of Agristability, I think is key.”

The next Annual FPT Ministers’ meeting will be held in Halifax.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com