AIC’s Parliamentary Updates brings you weekly summaries and analysis of what’s happening on Parliament Hill that is relevant to the agriculture and agricultural research community.
Thursday, 15 January 2026
Government Announcements
January 9 – Government of Canada invests in improved halal beef processing and packaging in Prince Edward Island. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced an investment of up to $2,256,786 for Atlantic Beef Products Inc. (ABPI) through the Kosher and Halal Investment Program. This program helps federally regulated beef and veal processing establishments adopt technologies and processing equipment that support increased efficiency and profitability of kosher and/or halal production. For more information, click here.
January 13 – Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan invest $9.7 million in crop research. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture announced $9.7 million to support crop research in Saskatchewan. For more information, click here.
House of Commons and Senate Proceedings
The House of Commons and the Senate will resume sitting on January 26, 2026.
Last Week’s Top Stories
Government Announcements
December 4 – Ontario Welcomes $533 Million Investment in Agri-food Manufacturing. The Ontario government is welcoming an investment of over $533 million from Lee Li Holdings Inc. to upgrade and expand its existing facility and establish a new state-of-the-art bottling and packing facility in Mississauga. The investment will create 275 good-paying jobs and strengthen Ontario’s competitive advantage in the agri-food industry by building an end-to-end supply chain in food and beverage manufacturing. For more information, click here.
December 5 – Minister MacDonald completes first successful tour in Quebec. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food was in the Quebec City area to meet with producers, partners and provincial stakeholders in the agriculture and agri-food sector. The Minister met with Quebec Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to discuss priorities such as the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct, and reciprocal standards for imported foods and products. The Ministers agreed to continue their joint efforts to support Quebec’s agriculture and agri-food industry. For more information, click here.
December 10 – Governments of Canada and Alberta are growing Alberta’s fresh food future. The new 3-year, $10-million Growing Greenhouses program aims to stimulate industry growth and provide fresh fruit and vegetables to Albertans throughout the year. The Growing Greenhouses program supports the controlled environment agriculture sector with new construction or expansion improvements to existing greenhouses and vertical farms that produce food at a commercial scale. It also aligns with Alberta’s Buy Local initiative launched this year as consumers will be able to purchase more local produce all year-round. For more information, click here.
House of Commons and Senate Proceedings
Michael Coteau (Scarborough—Woburn, Lib.) presented the first report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, entitled “Unleashing the Potential of the Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector through Regulatory Reform”.
Kathy Borrelli (Windsor—Tecumseh—Lakeshore, CPC) mentions Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab, and the news that the average family will pay nearly $1,000 more for groceries in 2026.
John Barlow (Foothills, CPC) and Hon. Patty Hajdu (Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, Lib.) debate taxation and rising food prices in Canada.
Jacob Mantle (York—Durham, CPC) discusses the invasive species known as water soldier which is a threat to the agricultural work in his riding, because of its proximity to the Holland River.
Cathay Wagantall (Yorkton—Melville, CPC) and Sophie Chatel (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lib.) debate the industrial carbon tax on Canadian-made fertilizer.