Ottawa (Rural Roots Canada) – CropLife Canada is calling on Ottawa to make agriculture a top priority, urging the federal government to adopt “bold and decisive policy changes” that could generate more than $100 billion in GDP growth over the next decade.

Pierre Petelle, president and CEO of CropLife Canada, says the time has come for a growth mindset that positions Canada’s agriculture sector as an economic superpower.

“There has been considerable talk about unleashing Canada’s economy, and agriculture cannot be overlooked as a national priority,” Petelle says in a release.

Despite the sector’s proven contribution to the economy, Petelle says growth has been stifled by an outdated regulatory system that slows access to agricultural innovations like new seed and crop protection products.

“While there are many things outside of Canada’s control, like extreme weather events and tariffs, the regulatory system is within its control,” says Petelle.

CropLife Canada says while Canadian farmers used to be among the first to have access to new crop protection tools, they’re now often left waiting while their competitors in other countries reap the benefits of new tech. Petelle notes that submissions for pesticide approvals have dropped by half compared to a decade ago, while approval timelines have nearly doubled.

“This puts Canada at risk of falling further behind other nations that have established more efficient and predictable regulatory frameworks,” he says.

READ MORE: Ag Sector Leaders Urge Ottawa to Make Agriculture a National Priority

The result, according to CropLife Canada, is slower productivity growth. The country’s agricultural productivity rate has fallen to less than 1%, down from almost 2% two decades ago, at a time when global demand for food is increasing.

“In an industry where there’s so much potential to increase productivity and serve a global market in need of Canadian-grown food and feed, we need to capitalize on the opportunity,” says Petelle.

He also emphasizes the need to make Canada a more attractive destination for agricultural research and development. Many Canadian companies, he says, are taking their innovations abroad due to the lengthy approval process and regulatory uncertainty. “Canada needs a bold reset when it comes to modernizing its regulatory approach,” explains Petelle.

CropLife Canada has outlined several recommendations for the federal government. First, it recommends prioritizing food security and affordability by updating the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) mandates to consider economic impacts alongside health and safety.  Second, it says Canada needs to adopt modern regulatory practices by leveraging reviews and best practices from other trusted, risk-based jurisdictions. Third, setting and meeting clear approval timelines to ensure the PMRA meets 100% of its performance targets. Finally, it must reduce red tape by cutting bureaucratic processes that slow down access to new tools for farmers.

A recent RBC report found Canada’s global market share in agriculture has dropped by 12% since 2000, falling from fifth to seventh place, and could decline further without urgent reforms.

“Canadian crops are exported around the world and bring billions into our economy, funding essential services like healthcare and infrastructure. Agriculture is truly the backbone of the Canadian economy and a huge engine for growth that benefits every Canadian,” said Petelle.

CropLife Canada, along with other national agricultural organizations, has sent a joint letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging the federal government to take immediate action.