CORNWALL, PE, March 6, 2026 – This week, the Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri – Food, met with farmers, processors, industry partners, and provincial agriculture and agri – food stakeholders during his outreach to Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island.

Throughout the week, the Minister continued to advance discussions on the Next Policy Framework (NPF) across numerous agriculture sectors in Atlantic Canada. The consultations, which took place in Truro, Nova Scotia, Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, gathered input to address challenges and opportunities to help shape the successor to the current Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which ends on March 31, 2028.

Minister MacDonald began his outreach with a visit to Maritime Pride Eggs in Amherst, Nova Scotia, where he joined a tour of the largest egg grading facility in the Maritimes and witnessed how the company is investing in equipment to boost production.

Minister MacDonald then made his first trip to Newfoundland and Labrador in his role as Minister of Agriculture and Agri – Food, where he met with Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, Pleaman Forsey. The two discussed key priorities for the NPF and the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement, as well as how they can continue to support producers in achieving environmental sustainability and increasing food self – sufficiency in the province. Ministers MacDonald and Forsey agreed to continue their joint efforts to support Newfoundland and Labrador’s agriculture and agri – food industry.

Minister MacDonald also visited the Community Food Sharing Association in St. John’s, whose mission is to collect and distribute food to 60 food banks across Newfoundland and Labrador. During this visit, the Minister of up to $30 million for 235 approved projects across Canada under the Local Food Infrastructure Fund (LFIF).

Minister MacDonald attended the Atlantic Grains Council Cereals and Oilseeds 2026 Conference in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, where he gave remarks to grain producers, industry experts, and researchers. The Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to expanding domestic and international trade opportunities and collaborating on practical research that will support a sustainable cereal and oilseed industry. He also a federal investment for Agriculture and Agri – Food Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Program (YESP).

As part of his outreach, Minister MacDonald visited popular local farm markets, including the Masstown Market in Debert, Nova Scotia, and Lester’s Farm Market in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Minister also toured egg and dairy processing facilities in and around St. John’s, including Lester’s Dairy Farm in St. John’s, Smallwood Farms in Clarkes Beach, and NL Dairy Co – operatives in Mount Pearl, to gain an understanding of how they supply local markets across the province.

Quote

“During my visit to the Atlantic region, I had the chance to engage in important discussions with farmers, processors, and exporters to better understand the challenges they face and their goals for growing Canada’s agriculture sector. I was also glad to engage with provincial governments and industry stakeholders on expanding trade opportunities, strengthening collaborative research, and supporting youth employment opportunities to ensure a strong and competitive agriculture and agri – food sector.”
– The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri – Food

Quick Facts

• The Next Policy Framework (NPF) is a five – year agreement (2028 – 2033) between federal, provincial and territorial governments that will guide future investments in Canada’s agriculture and agri – food sector. The NPF will build on the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, which ends on March 31, 2028.
• The LFIF supports projects that enhance community food security and increase the availability and accessibility of local, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food through food production – focused activities for equity – deserving groups, particularly Indigenous and Black communities.
• The YESP encourages agriculture and agri – food employers to hire youth aged 15 to 30 for work experience and skill development opportunities by providing non – repayable contributions for the youth’s wages and benefits. The YESP further incentivizes employers to hire youth facing barriers to employment, including but not limited to Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, and youth living in rural or remote regions. Applications for the 2026–27 program year will be accepted from March 5 to May 4, 2026.

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SOURCE Agriculture and Agri – Food Canada