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, 03 September 2026
Government Announcements
August 27 – Government of Canada supports Indigenous-led effort to create reindeer herd agribusiness in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced an investment of up to $885,225 for the Inuvialuit Community Economic Development Organization (ICEDO) through the Canadian Agricultural Strategic Priorities Program. With this support, the ICEDO will create a strategic plan to transform management of the reindeer herd from a community food security effort into a self-sustaining agribusiness. For more information, click here.
August 31 – Government of Canada invests in Red River Métis participation in agriculture. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced an investment of up to $160,545 for the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF), the National Government of the Red River Métis, through the AgriDiversity Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to identify the needs and priorities specific to Red River Métis producers. This funding will support the MMF in hosting community meetings with Red River Métis agricultural producers and agriculture professionals to share knowledge and discuss priorities. For more information, click here.
September 1 – Minister MacDonald announces initial list of 2026 Livestock Tax Deferral regions. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced an initial list of regions that will qualify for Livestock Tax Deferral in 2026 due to extreme conditions. The Livestock Tax Deferral provision allows livestock producers in prescribed areas, who are forced to sell all or part of their breeding herd due to forage shortfalls resulting from drought, excess moisture or flooding, to defer a portion of their income from sales until the following tax year. For more information, click here.
House of Commons and Senate Proceedings
The House of Commons and Senate will resume activity in September 2026.
Last Week’s Top Stories
Government Announcements
August 12 August 18 – Manitoba Government Invests $97,000 to Expand Northern Healthy Food Initiative. The Manitoba government is investing more than $97,000 through the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program in the Northern Association of Community Councils (NACC) to expand the Northern Healthy Foods Initiative (NHFI). For more information, click here.
August 25 – Canada and two First Nations under Treaties 4 and 6 advance reconciliation through agricultural benefits claim settlements. Together, the settlements provide more than $209.5 million in compensation through individual settlement payments, including $121,077,713 for Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and $88,440,000 for The Key First Nation. These claims relate to Canada’s failure to provide some of the farming support promised under Treaties 4 and 6, such as ploughs, seeds, cows, bulls, and other supplies that were intended to help First Nations move into farming and other economic activities, especially as buffalo populations declined. For more information, click here.
August 26 – Minister Joly announces major investment in the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network to strengthen Canada’s agri-food sector. The Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions announced a $50 million investment in the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) through the Strategic Response Fund. This investment will strengthen Canada’s agri-food innovation capacity by accelerating the development, demonstration, adoption and commercialization of Canadian technologies. It will enable CAAIN to expand its national network of smart farms and commercial farm demonstration sites and provide cost-shared support for Canadian businesses developing and adopting innovative agri-food technologies. For more information, click here.
House of Commons and Senate Proceedings
The House of Commons and Senate will resume activity in September 2026.