Sector Engagement Tables

The Sector Engagement Tables (SETs) are intended to create purposeful dialogue between agriculture and agri-food sector representatives and government officials to collectively advance growth and competitiveness in Canada.

This new engagement model was launched in December 2020 to replace the Value Chain Roundtables that were active since 2003.

Four thematic tables focus on systemic, cross-cutting issues that affect the sector as a whole:

  • Agile Regulations
  • Consumer Demand and Market Trends
  • Skills Development
  • Sustainability

The model also includes five sector tables that focus on implementing solutions to systemic issues in the context of their sub-sectors:

  • Animal Protein
  • Field Crops
  • Food Manufacturers
  • Horticulture
  • Seafood

A leadership table serves as the focal point to guide the work of all tables in the SET model. It consists of all SET co-chairs (industry and government) as well as the leads of other forums (for example, Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, Food Policy Advisory Council).

How the tables work

All tables are led by a pair of co-chairs—one government official and one sector representative. Table membership aims to be focused but diverse, including a balance between sector associations, producers and processors across the value chain, as well as leaders from academia and fields such as technology, sustainability, and consumer research. Specific to each table, there is also participation from other federal government departments, such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Treasury Board Secretariat of Canada, and/or Employment and Social Development Canada; as well as provincial government representatives.

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) is committed to greater inclusion of underrepresented voices in sector discussions, both through membership on the tables as well as by exploring the creation of specific engagement mechanisms for youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples.

Each table's activities is informed by a strategic planning process, as well as through communication with other tables within the model. They will all align with the following functioning principles:

  • Outcome-driven results: Clear deliverables (such as recommendations, reports or new initiatives) and progress measurement
  • Forward-facing: Actions focused on strategically advancing the sector
  • Collaborative: Focus on sector-government collaboration to advance policies and initiatives
  • Unique: Avoid duplication with other mechanisms and forums

Time-limited and issue-specific working groups will be established to advance the work of the tables—supporting either an individual table or multiple tables—with the ability to bring in additional expertise from outside the membership.

Meeting highlights and membership

  • Agile Regulations

    Table was launched in December 2020

    Mandate

    The agriculture and agri-food regulatory system embraces continuous improvement, striking a balance between meeting regulatory objectives and resolving irritants, while:

    • being more inclusive and sensitive to the needs of all stakeholders and the potential inequalities that may exist by improving stakeholder awareness and knowledge of the agri-food regulatory system
    • having greater and more consistent collaboration between government departments and stakeholders on regulatory development and management as well as on improving stakeholder navigation
    • being market responsive and outcome-based through better understanding cumulative and economic impacts of regulations and providing regulated parties greater flexibility for compliance; and, becoming more forward-looking by leveraging and anticipating opportunities associated with digitization and creating the enabling processes in the regulatory space by setting the conditions for developing, testing and bringing innovative products or processes to market

    Strategic plan key highlights

    The Table identified three key result areas:

    • Exploring ways to make the regulatory system easier to navigate
    • Providing analytical capacity to better understand cumulative and economic impacts of regulations and how they are administered across the sector
    • Contributing to regulatory experimentation and foresight

    Meeting highlights

    September 20, 2023

    • AAFC provided a brief update on the SET model, recent activities and plans going forward.
    • The Canadian Seed Growers Association presented a high level outline of the their vision for the future of seed regulations, including opportunities for seed regulatory modernization.
    • AAFC highlighted the work to date of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Regulatory Issues Working Group and some of the next steps for consideration.
    • Members discussed possible topics of interest for the in-person meeting in December.
    • The next meeting will be held in-person on December 12, 2023.

    April 27, 2023

    • AAFC presented the What We Heard Report prepared based on the conversations at the December 7, 2023 meeting. Resulting discussions were mainly on prioritization and where the ART wants to focus efforts next.
    • AAFC, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) presented the Domestic Trade Journey Mapping pilot performed in Fiscal Year 2022-2023. The results of the project were discussed, with positive support from both industry and government members to pursue additional journey mapping projects moving forward.
    • Health Canada (HC), CFIA, and the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) presented their regulatory developments since the October 2022 ART meeting.
    • Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) presented next steps on Canada's Zero Plastic Waste Agenda.
    • The next meeting will be held virtually on September 20, 2023.

    December 7, 2022

    • Members participated in breakout sessions to discuss key challenges and opportunities for the agriculture sector.
    • Members received updates on key initiatives, including the launch of supply chain review, overview of the zero plastic waste agenda and an update on regulatory experimentation, with a focus on work underway led by Protein Industries Canada.
    • AAFC facilitated a discussion with members on the table's progress to date and discussion/insights to help guide the table's direction for 2023. A summary of the session will be shared in a What We Heard Report and will be discussed during the next meeting.

    Members

    Co-chairs

    • Keith Mussar, I.E. Canada (Canadian Association of Importers & Exporters)
    • Steven Jurgutis, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Sector

    • Andre Harpe, Grain Growers of Canada
    • Angela Reid, The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada
    • Bruce Hardy, Myera Group and Function Four Ltd
    • Catherine Filejski, Canadian Animal Health Institute
    • Christopher Marinangeli, Protein Industries Canada
    • Colleen McElwain, Animal Health Canada
    • Chloé Belchamber, Canadian Pork Council
    • Ian McFall, Burnbrae Farms
    • Jackie Crichton, Canadian Supply Chain Food Safety Coalition
    • Jane Proctor, Canadian Produce Marketing Association
    • Jared Cohen, Canadian Cattle Association
    • Kate Docking, Fisheries Council of Canada
    • Lauren Martin, Canadian Meat Council
    • Matt Morrison, Dairy Farmers of Canada
    • Michi Furuya Chang, Food, Health and Consumer Products of Canada
    • Mike Scheffel, Canadian Seed Growers' Association
    • My-Lien Bosch, Canadian Organic Trade Association
    • Olivier Lavigne-Lacroix, Canadian National Millers Association
    • Sharon Mohammed, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
    • Steve Leech, Chicken Farmers of Canada
    • Stéphane Beausoleil, Westfine Meats/ Sungold
    • Stu Porter, Renewable Industries Canada
    • Tim Kennedy, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance
    • Tyler Bjornson, Canada Grains Council
    • Victor Santacruz, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

    Federal government

    • Barbara Henry, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
    • Brett Maxwell, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Luc Rivard, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Mary-Jane Ireland, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
    • Melissa Kardaras, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Ruth Rancy, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency
    • James Van Raalte, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
    • Joanne Butler, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

    Provincial government

    • Penny McCall, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
  • Animal Protein

    Table launched in October 2022

    Mandate

    Advance and strengthen the animal protein sector's competitive position

    Meeting highlights

    October 24, 2023

    • The sixth Animal Protein Table was held in a virtual format on October 24, 2023.
    • The co-chairs from each of the 4 working groups provided an update on their respective working groups. As next steps:

      • the Labour Working Group is looking at broadening his membership and then will start with the activity of identifying and filling information gaps as outlined in the strategic plan.
      • the Technology Working Group is looking at broadening the membership and the work is expected to focus on the environmental scan of “pain points” within the sector as it relates to technology.
      • the Supply Chain Resiliency Working Group proposed to initially focus on transportation and natural disasters/emergency preparedness/future planning themes.
      • the Regulations Working Group met will do a prioritization exercise and choose which issues (Feed Industry Barriers, Animal Health and Veterinary Services, Animal Movement and Documentation, Food System – Processing and Inspection, Cross Border Barriers, Other Barriers) to start the work with.
    • AAFC provided a presentation on the Agricultural Methane Reduction Challenge and talked briefly about the Food Waste Reduction Challenge.

    March 29, 2023 and April 11, 2023

    • Members finalized 4 themes in the strategic plan, and then identified outcomes and initiatives for each theme.
    • Members were asked to join 4 new working groups.

    January 17, 2023

    • This meeting focused on the development of the APT strategic plan, and 4 themes were identified:
      • Labour
      • Supply Chain Resiliency
      • Technology
      • Regulations

    December 12, 2022

    • AAFC provided an overview of the Thematic Tables' strategic plans, the key result areas and next steps for the new model.
    • The consultant reviewed the results of the environmental scan, which will set the tone for the strategic planning session.

    Members

    Co-chairs

    • Janice Tranberg, National Cattle Feeders Association
    • Nicole Howe, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Sector

    • Alexandre Fontaine, Montpak
    • Annie AcMoody, Dairy Farmers of Canada
    • Avery Bruenjes, Retail Council of Canada
    • Carl Flis, Canadian Bison Association
    • Cassidy Klima, Canadian Cattle Association and Beef Cattle Research Council
    • Colleen McElwain, Animal Health Canada
    • Corlena Patterson, Canadian Sheep Federation
    • David Anyanwu, Cargill
    • Dennis Laycraft, Canadian Cattle Association
    • Jeff Kroll, McDonald's Canada
    • Joel Neuheimer, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
    • Judi Bundrock, Egg Farmers of Canada
    • Kim O'Neil, Canadian Meat Council
    • Mathieu Frigon, Dairy Processors Association of Canada
    • Mario Goulet, DuBreton
    • Michael Laliberté, Chicken Farmers of Canada
    • Michael Young, Canadian Beef
    • Mike von Massow, University of Guelph
    • Phil Boyd, Turkey Farmers of Canada
    • Richard Davies, Olymel
    • Robin Horel, Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council
    • Sameeha Jhetam, University of Saskatchewan
    • Sarah Hopkins, Animal Nutrition Association Canada
    • Simona Zar, Restaurant Canada
    • Stephen Heckbert, Canadian Pork Council
    • Trevor Sears, Canada Pork Council
    • Viki Sikur, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers

    Federal government

    • Darlene McBain, Farm Credit Canada
    • Farouk El Allaki, Global Affairs Canada
    • Manisha Mehrotra, Health Canada
    • Mary-Jane Ireland, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
    • Sylvie Lapointe, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

    Provincial government

    • Venkata Vakulabharanam, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
  • Consumer Demand and Market Trends

    Table launched in April 2021

    Mandate

    • better understand domestic and international consumer values, preferences, and expectations
    • identify key, value-add domestic and international consumer market trends and growth opportunities
    • identify approaches to building public trust for key consumer concerns

    Strategic Plan key highlights

    The table identified 11 initiatives to be supported by 2 working groups:

    • Consumer Research Working Group
      • Consumer Research Library
      • Consumer Research Dissemination
      • Consumer Research Environmental Scan and Gap Analysis
      • Data Collection to Fill Data Gaps
      • Comparison of Consumer Perceptions and Behaviour
      • Consumer Research on Forecasted Innovation and Technology
    • Consumer Engagement Working Group
      • Best Practices for Consumer Engagement
      • Consumer Engagement Plan
      • Consumer Acceptance of Forecasted Innovation and Technology
      • Benchmarking Assurance Systems (paused until completion of National Index on Agri-Food Performance)
      • Advancing Assurance Systems (paused until completion of National Index on Agri-Food Performance)

    Meeting highlights

    October 19, 2023

    • Members reviewed the medium-term consumer trends and the impact for the sector and identified potential areas for further study including: the connections between local, organic, and environmental sustainability; demographics around plant-based protein; communications on packaging; food affordability and price; and consumer confusion around assurance systems related to sustainability and other attributes.
    • The Consumer Research Working Group has continued working on an online consumer research library and table members provided detailed input toward AAFC’s next consumer survey.
    • The Consumer Engagement Working Group has continued efforts to secure funding to carry out its best practices for consumer engagement initiative and has continued planning its consumer engagement plan initiative.
    • Members provided feedback on the proposed federal measures to reduce and manage plastic packaging in relation to the key consumer trend around sustainability.

    May 31, 2023

    • Members agreed to apply for funding to develop a web-based resource describing the best practices for consumer engagement.
    • Members will continue exploring existing solutions for creating a consumer research library rather than funding a new one.

    March 9, 2023

    • Members will determine the feasibility of using AgEcon Search (a free, web-based agricultural economics library) as a consumer research library rather than creating a new one, including approaches to addressing gaps in its current search records and building the sector's awareness of this existing resource.
    • Members will finalize the description of its best practices for consumer engagement initiative, including explore funding mechanisms to enable related decisions at a future meeting.
    • The sector provided feedback on Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) activities, such as: Canada Brand, Taste the Commitment, and the broader AgriCommunications Initiative.

    Members

    Co-chairs

    • Clinton Monchuk, Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan
    • Justine Akman, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

    Sector

    • Alain Brandon, Loblaw Companies
    • Andrew Lively, Ocean Perfect
    • Andy Olson, Nuu-cha-nulth Seafood
    • Barry Sneft, Seeds Canada
    • David Jones, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada
    • Don Holdsworth, Clearwater Seafoods
    • Erin O'Hara, CropLife Canada
    • Jerry Bos, Boscenic Farms
    • JJ Hochrein, Chicken Farmers of Canada
    • Meaghan Seagrave, BioIndustrial Innovation Canada
    • Ryder Lee, Canadian Cattle Association
    • Shelley Revering, Federated Cooperatives Limited
    • Stuart Smyth, University of Saskatchewan
    • Sue Lewis, Canadian Produce Marketing Association
    • Tia Loftsgard, Canada Organic Trade Association
    • Tim Ludwig, Global Cold Chain Alliance

    Federal government

    • Cindy St-Germain, Statistics Canada
    • Donald Boucher, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Jean-Pierre Contant, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Michelle Cooper, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Warren Goodlet, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Provincial government

    • James Kettel, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
    • Nicole Lamers, Federal-Provincial-Territorial Public Trust Working Group
  • Field Crops

    Table launched in May 2023

    Mandate

    To advance and strengthen the Canadian field crop sector’s competitive position domestically and internationally.

    Meeting highlights

    November 23, 2023

    • The strategic plan was finalized with the following themes selected:
      • Public/Private Research and Innovation Ecosystem
      • Market Maintenance and Growth (includes emergency response and management)
      • Strategic Infrastructure Investment
    Members also agreed to:
    • interact with/review the prioritization of Agile Regulations Table work when appropriate to highlight regulatory priorities as the Field Crops Table;
    • interact with/review the work of the Consumer Demand and Market Trends Consumer Engagement Working Group to ensure Field Crops consumer trust priorities and interests are reflected;
    • as work proceeds, interact with/review the work of thematic tables to ensure coherence across themes.

    October 11, 2023

    • Members discussed and confirmed the mandate, identified strategic challenges and opportunities, forward looking goals, strategic themes and key results followed by discussions on some potential initiatives.
    • The strategic plan for the Table was not finalized during the meeting. One or two additional sessions are likely needed to bring the strategic plan to a conclusion.
    • The facilitator will provide a draft report summarizing the outcome of the meeting in preparation for the next meeting.

    May 31, 2023

    • AAFC provided an overview of the Sector Engagement Table model, key result areas and next steps for the new Field Crops Table.
    • Members discussed the mandate and possible priority themes for this Table.
    • Members agreed that a one-day in-person strategic planning session will be held to identify priorities and action plans. Preparation for this session is underway.

    Members

    Co-chairs

    • Dean Dias, Cereals Canada
    • Pascale Boulerice, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Sector

    • Adam Dyck, Warburton Foods Ltd. (Canada)
    • Angela Bedard-Haughn, University of Saskatchewan
    • Barry Senft, Seeds Canada
    • Brian Innes, Soy Canada
    • Chris Davison, Canola Council of Canada
    • Clarence Shwaluk, Fresh Hemp Foods, Ltd
    • Crosby Devitt, Grain Farmers of Ontario
    • Curtis Pozniak, University of Saskatchewan
    • Doug Miller, Canadian Seed Growers’ Association
    • Greg Northey, Pulse Canada
    • Erin Gowriluk, Canada Grains Council
    • Ian Affleck, CropLife Canada
    • Jean Marc Ruest, Richardson International
    • Jen Marchand, Cargill
    • Jenneth Johanson, Prairie Oat Growers Association
    • Keith Jones, Rowland Farms
    • Kyle Larkin, Grain Growers of Canada
    • Olivier Lavigne Lacroix, Canadian National Millers Association
    • Pam de Rocquigny, Manitoba Crop Alliance
    • Rene Van Acker, University of Guelph
    • Rick Mitzel, Flax Council of Canada
    • Rick White, Canadian Canola Growers Association

    Federal government

    • Doug Chorney, Canadian Grain Commission
    • Eric Liu, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Henry de Gooijer, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Michel-Antoine Renaud, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
    • Robin Churchill, Health Canada
    • Terri Gabbatt, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Provincial government

    • Deanna Nemeth, Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs
    • To be determined: Government of Saskatchewan
  • Food Manufacturers

    Table was launched in September 2023

    Mandate

    The Food Manufacturers Engagement Table (FMET) will provide a forum for government and the food manufacturing industry to:

    • understand the challenges and opportunities facing the industry as well as the state of the business environment in Canada,
    • undertake research to better understand issues impacting the industry’s competitiveness, and
    • develop industry-government actions to improve the competitiveness, profitability and growth of the industry

    Meeting highlights

    September 7, 2023

    • The meeting provided an opportunity for member introductions as well as confirm FMET priorities.
    • The labour and sustainability priorities were presented and discussed, in particular, introduction of the Recognized Employer Pilot provisions and pending plastic packaging regulations, and a commitment to discuss the Grocery Code of Conduct at the next meeting.

    Members

    Co-chairs

    • Daniel Vielfaure, Nortera Foods
    • Associate Deputy Minister (vacant), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Sector

    • Anthony Fantin, Vegpro International Inc.
    • Carla Ventin, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada
    • Carol Gardin, Maple Lodge Farms Ltd.
    • Catherine O’Brien, Nestlé Canada Inc.
    • Claire Bara, A. Lassonde Inc.
    • Dan Paszkowski, Wine Growers Canada
    • David Anyanwu, Cargill Limited
    • David Pigott, Morrison Lamothe & Club Coffee Company
    • Denise Allen, Food Producers of Canada
    • Dominique Bohec, Boulangerie Humanité Inc.
    • Faisal Esmail, BCI Foods Inc
    • Irv Teper, Concord Premium Meats Ltd.
    • Kathleen Sullivan, Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
    • Kelsie Milbury, PepsiCo Foods and Beverages Canada
    • Kerry Towle, Sofina Foods Inc.
    • Krista Scaldwell, Canadian Beverage Association
    • Kristina Farrell, Food and Beverage Canada
    • Martin Barnett, Baking Association of Canada
    • Martin Le Moine, Fruit d’Or Inc.
    • Mathieu Frigon, Dairy Processors Association of Canada
    • Maxim Legault-Mayrand, Danone Canada
    • Nik Zylstra, Further Poultry Processors Association of Canada
    • Olivier Lavigne-Lacroix, Canadian National Millers Association
    • Paul Lansbergen, Fisheries Council of Canada
    • Robert Eiser, Aliments LUDA Foods Inc.
    • Sandra Marsden, Canadian Sugar Institute
    • Stephanie Cass, Ferrero Canada Ltd.
    • Teresa Schoonings, Bimbo Canada
    • Tim Sinclair, Sher Produce Technologies

    Federal government

    • Adriana Zeleney, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Donald Boucher, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Joann Perron, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Melissa Kardaras, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Shane Campbell, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Warren Gould, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
  • Horticulture

    Table launched in November 2022

    Mandate

    Under development, will be posted once it is available.

    Meeting highlights

    November 22, 2022

    • AAFC provided an overview of the Sector Engagement Table model, key result areas and next steps for the new Horticulture Table.
    • Members reviewed the 2019 strategic plan and agreed it will be discussed and updated at a future meeting.

    Members

    Co-chairs

    • Rod Scarlett, Canadian Honey Council
    • Sankaran KrishnaRaj, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Sector

    • Adrian Reimer, Reimers’ Nursery
    • Alison Robertson, Ontario Fruits and Vegetable Growers Association
    • Andrew Morse, Flowers Canada Grower
    • Anthony O'Neill, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
    • Christene LeVatte, Highland Landscapes
    • Darby McGrath, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
    • Émilie Bergeron, CropLife Canada
    • Hans Buchler, Canadian Grapevine Certification Network
    • Jan VanderHout, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada
    • Keith Robbins, Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers
    • Linda Della Santi, British Columbia Greenhouse Growers Association
    • Luce Daigneault, Québec Vert
    • Marlene Huntley, Horticulture Nova Scotia
    • Michel Touchette, Jeffries Nurseries
    • Nick Winkelmolen, Winkelmolen Nurseries
    • Patrice Léger Bourgoin, Association des Producteurs Maraîchers du QC
    • Phil Paxton, Canadian Ornamental Horticulture Alliance
    • Rebecca Lee, Fruit and Vegetables Growers of Canada
    • Richard Lee, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers
    • Ron Lemaire, Canadian Produce Marketing Association
    • Ryan Koeslag, Mushrooms Canada
    • Steve Lamoure, Conagra Brands (Dresden)
    • Vicki Blanchard, Corporation of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout
    • Victor Santacruz, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association

    Federal government

    • Amanda Whitfield, Health Canada
    • Jason Flint, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Jennifer Ballantine, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Priscilla KusiAsare, Global Affairs Canada
    • Shirley Liang, Global Affairs Canada

    Provincial government

    • Jeff Wentzell, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture
    • Yvon Forest, Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec
  • Skills Development

    Table was launched in July 2021

    The mandate of this Table applies to all players in the system, including but not limited to:

    • primary agriculture
    • food and beverage processing
    • input and service suppliers (for example, agriculture equipment manufacturing)

    Mandate

    • Gain a shared understanding as to skills requirements in relation to chronic job vacancies as well as priorities for future skills, including building on advancements in technology.
    • Identify potential career paths connecting jobs to alternative training/careers.
    • Identify new, innovative and flexible training options, to educate and train, to re-skill and upskill the workforce.
    • Support renewal by identifying opportunities for young and new entrants, to develop a more diverse work force with greater participation of youth, new Canadians, Indigenous peoples and other under-represented groups.

    Strategic plan key highlights

    The Table identified four key result areas:

    • Career pathways
    • Understanding of Skills Required
    • New Innovative and Flexible Training Options
    • Youth, New Entrants and Underrepresented

    Meeting highlights

    December 13, 2023

    • The 11th meeting of the Skills Development Table was held in an in-person/hybrid format on December 13, 2023.
    • AAFC provided an update of the Sector Engagement Table model, which included a summary of activities of recent meetings held of the Canadian Agriculture Youth Council, Agile Regulations Table, Horticulture Table, Field Crops Table, Consumer Demand and Market Trends Table, and the Leadership Table.
    • The Co-Chairs from the Career Pathways Working Group provided an update on activities and AAFC provided a brief summary on the work that they are doing to prepare to launch a working group under the youth, new entrants and underrepresented groups pillar of the strategic plan.
    • The Table received a presentation from the Job Bank in an effort to better understand the Job Bank's functionality and to explore opportunities on how to use it to raise awareness of careers in the agriculture and agri-food sector. Possible next steps would be to explore at how Employment Social Development Canada and AAFC could work to advance some work regarding the resources hub.
    • The Career Pathways Working Group has done a lot of work toward a resource hub and, during the meeting, breakout group discussions were held to seek feedback from members on the structure and design of a hub and on the gaps in information gathered to date. The working group will look at the gathered information and will be used it to determine next steps for the hub.
    • A panel discussion on microcredentials in which the Province of British Columbia presented on their micro credential framework; Canadian Seed Growers Association on their CSGA Learn platform; and Food Processing Skills Canada on their learning and recognition framework. The information learned during this panel discussion will be brought back to the Career Pathways Working Group as they determine a path forward for this topic.
    • Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) provided information on their Accelerated Growth Service that helps Canadian businesses figure out which government services are available that could benefit them.
    • The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) and AAFC updated members on the progress of their respective labour strategies - National Workforce Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing and the Agricultural Labour Strategy. CAHRC and AAFC will report back on progress at the next meeting.

    September 26, 2023

    • The 10th meeting of the Skills Development Table was held virtually on September 26, 2023.
    • AAFC mentioned that the Temporary Foreign Worker Program has now launched the Recognized Employer Pilot (REP) for employers in primary agriculture.
    • AAFC provided a brief update on SET activities since the last meeting and plans going forward.
    • The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council updated members on their Action Symposium and a conducted Ipsos online surveys on Perceptions of the Agriculture Industry.
    • Members received a presentation made by a table member from the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture on Micro credentials.
    • Next meeting will be held in-person on December 13, 2023.

    May 12, 2023

    • The ninth meeting of the Skills Development Table was held virtually on May 12, 2023.
    • AAFC provided an overview of the Federal Budget 2023: A Made-In-Canada Plan
    • AAFC provided an update on the Agricultural Labour Strategy.
    • The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council updated members on the progress of the National Workforce Strategic Plan for Agriculture and Food and Beverage Manufacturing.
    • AAFC shared a proposal with members that included considerations and next steps for the table.
    • Next meeting will be held virtually on September 26, 2023.

    Members

    Co-chairs

    • Joanne Allen, J I Allen and Associates
    • Nathalie Gour, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada

    Sector

    • Andrea Lear, Canadian Agricultural Safety Association
    • Ben Cecil, Olds College Smart Farm
    • Christa Wright, Agriculture in the Classroom Canada
    • Dave Penner, The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada
    • Donna Boyd, Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada
    • Heather Watson, Farm Management Canada
    • Kristina Farrell, Food and Beverage Canada
    • Keith Warriner, University of Guelph
    • Kevin Elder, Food Processing Skills Canada
    • Lauren Martin, Canadian Meat Council
    • Laurie Loane, Prince Edward Island - Agriculture Sector Council
    • Leslie Noble, 4-H Canada
    • Martin Scanlon, Deans Council - Dean, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences
    • Phyllis MacCallum, Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council
    • Sara Dent, Young Agrarians
    • Sara Kate Smith, University of British Columbia
    • Scott Ross, Canadian Federation of Agricultre
    • Tracy Kittleson, Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture

    Federal government

    • Darlene McBain, Farm Credit Canada

    Provincial government

    • Scott Duff, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Sustainability

    Table launched in December 2020

    Mandate (still in discussion)

    The Sustainability Table will support the resilience of the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector over the long term by

    • providing a forum for ongoing and deliberative dialogue between industry, governments and other stakeholders on approaches to address environmental issues facing the sector (such as climate change, biodiversity, water)
    • supporting efforts to improve and demonstrate environmental performance within domestic and global markets, including by leveraging industry-led sustainable sourcing efforts
    • using existing tools and identifying the need for new science-based tools to increase the resilience of the sector to climate change impacts and other environmental issues

    Meeting highlights

    March 9, 2021

    • AAFC updated members on recent federal announcements related to the environment, to highlight initiatives that could have an impact on the agriculture and agri-food sector and the work of this table.
    • AAFC presented comments received on the Food Policy for Canada's definition of "sustainable food systems," as well as a draft mandate for the table.
    • Members identified a number of challenges and opportunities to build the sector's sustainability including performance measurement, education and knowledge transfer, policy coherence, and others.
    • Members participated in breakout groups to discuss the top strategic opportunities for the table. Some topics included the tracking of sustainability data, land use, biodiversity loss, industry-wide education, incentive programs (carbon offsets and clean initiatives) and connecting policy to implementation.
    • Additional clarification on the scope of the table is still required and will be further addressed at future meetings.

    January 26, 2021

    • AAFC updated the table on the recent Federal Initiatives and Announcements: Speech from the Throne (September 2020), Fall Economic Statement (November 2020), Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy (December 2020) and Minister Bibeau's new mandate letter (January 2021).
    • AAFC presented comments received on the definition of sustainability that was shared as part of the survey of members for the strategic planning process.
    • Members identified a number of challenges and opportunities during breakout sessions. Additional clarification on the scope of the table is still required and will be further addressed at subsequent meetings.
    • Ideas gathered on challenges and opportunities facing the agriculture and agri-food sector along the following themes: benchmarking and indexing; measurement; data collection; education and information exchange; and policy coherence.

    December 10, 2020

    • Members were provided with an overview of some thoughts on the table's mandate and work plan.
    • Members raised suggestions and views on potential outcomes of the table, including the importance of building on existing initiatives, using this table to guide or inform the work of the next policy framework, and the potential of a national sustainability science cluster initiative as a successful outcome.

    Members

    Co-chairs

    • To be determined
    • Sophie Beecher, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Sector

    • Alice Feuillet, Equiterre
    • Andrew Hammermeister, Dalhousie University
    • Blaine McLeod, Dairy Farmers of Canada
    • Carmen Wakeling, Certified Organic Associations of British Columbia
    • Carolyn Callaghan, Canadian Wildlife Federation
    • Casandra Cotton, Fertilizer Canada
    • Cher Mereweather, Provision Coalition
    • Chris Anderson, Protein Industries Canada
    • Dean Dias, Cereals Canada
    • Eric Ritchie, McCain Foods
    • Erin Gowriluk, Grain Growers of Canada
    • Fawn Jackson, Dairy Farmers of Canada
    • Ghalia Chahine, L'union des producteurs agricoles
    • Gord Kurbis, Canada Grains Council
    • Jeffrey Fitzpatrick, Cargill
    • Jennifer Lambert, Loblaws
    • Jennifer O'Donnell, BioNB
    • Monica Hadarits, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
    • Paul Thoroughgood, Ducks Unlimited Canada
    • Rebecca Lee, Canadian Horticultural Council
    • Susie Miller, Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Crops
    • Tim Faveri, Maple Leaf Foods
    • Tim Kennedy, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

    Federal government

    • Susan Martin, Environment and Climate Change Canada
    • Darlene McBain, Farm Credit Canada

    Provincial government

    • Thom Hagerty, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

Other forums within the SET model

Contact us

Industry Engagement Division
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
1341 Baseline Road, Tower 5, 4th Floor
Ottawa Ontario K1A 0C5
Telephone: 613-759-2115
Email: aafc.roundtable-tableronde.aac@agr.gc.ca