The Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food was created in 1868 — one year after Confederation — because of the importance of agriculture to the economic, social and cultural development of Canada. Today, the Department helps create the conditions for the long-term profitability, sustainability and adaptability of the Canadian agricultural sector. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) supports the sector through initiatives that promote innovation and competitiveness, and that proactively manage risk. The Department's goal is to position agriculture, agri-food and agri-based product industries to realize their full potential by seizing new opportunities in the growing domestic and global marketplace.
Our vision
Driving innovation and ingenuity to build a world leading agricultural and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians.
Our mission
AAFC provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
Mandate and role
The Department supports the sector from the farmer to the consumer, from the farm to global markets, through all phases of producing, processing and marketing of farm, food and agri-based products. Agriculture is a shared jurisdiction in Canada, and the Department works closely with provincial and territorial governments in the development and delivery of policies, programs and services.
AAFC's mandate is based upon the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Act. The Minister is also responsible for the administration of several other Acts such as the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act.
The Department is responsible for ensuring collaboration with its portfolio partners and agencies which are also involved in regulating and supporting Canadian agriculture, including the Farm Products Council of Canada. The Department also includes the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency, a special operating agency that regulates and supervises pari-mutuel betting on horse racing at racetracks across Canada.
While the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reports to the Minister of Health, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food is responsible for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's non-food safety activities, including economic and trade issues, consumer protection, as well as animal health and plant protection work.
Our organization structure
Consult the department's organization structure for information on senior managers and key personnel.
Our service pledge
At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, we take pride in what we do. We are an organization dedicated to serving the public. We are here to provide support to both our clients and colleagues. We are committed to delivering high quality service because we understand the importance of agriculture to our economy, communities, environment and human health.
At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, we are...
- Client-focused
- We take the time to understand the needs of our clients and colleagues.
- Helpful
- We provide assistance and reduce unnecessary burden placed on our clients.
- Accountable
- We are accountable to our clients, ourselves, and our colleagues.
- Respectful
- We demonstrate respect to both our clients and colleagues.
- Timely
- We provide timely and courteous services to clients and colleagues alike.
- Accurate
- We provide information that is accurate, accessible and up-to-date.
At Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, we are dedicated to making a continual effort to improve our services. In doing so as public servants, we take pride in embodying the values and behaviours of the Canadian federal public sector. The Values and Ethics code for AAFC set out these values.
Our service standards
Find out when you can expect to receive the service you requested and how Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is meeting its service goals on our Service Standards page.
Operating context
The Canadian agriculture and agri-food system, which includes all stages of the value chain – primary agriculture, food and beverages processing, farm and food wholesale, food retail, farm inputs and service suppliers, and food services – is a complex and integrated supply chain that brings significant benefits at both provincial-territorial and national levels. The agriculture and agri-food sector is an important driver of exports, and is key to supporting Canada's future economic growth. In 2023, the agriculture and agri-food system generated $150 billion in Canadian gross domestic product (GDP), and accounted for one in nine jobs, employing 2.3 million people.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a $3.5 billion, five-year (2023 to 2028) agreement between federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) governments. This agricultural policy framework includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities, and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities, supporting the agriculture and agri-food sector for continued success as a world leader in economically, environmentally and socially sustainable agriculture.
Over the five-year framework, the Sustainable CAP will advance five priority areas: climate change and environment; markets and trade; building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness; science, research and innovation; and resiliency and public trust. This framework will position the sector for continued success as a world leader in environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable agriculture. It will enable an innovative and productive, internationally-competitive sector, that can continue to feed Canadians as well as a growing global population at a time when rising costs and global food security are significant concerns.
The Sustainable CAP focusses on measuring the results of framework investments, and includes targets such as a three-to five-megatonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, increasing sector competitiveness, revenue and exports, and increased participation of Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth.
With over half of the value of agricultural production being exported, the growth of the sector is significantly influenced by an increasing global demand for agricultural products, shifting consumer preferences, and the preservation and expansion of market access. In 2023, the total value of Canadian agriculture, agri-food, fish and seafood exports reached an all-time high of $99.1 billion. Three quarters of Canada's agriculture and agri-food exports (77%) were destined to countries where Canada has a trade agreement that is signed or in force. However, tariffs and non-tariff barriers can impact the economic outlook for producers who depend on export markets for their products. AAFC is committed to maintaining and expanding market access and to enhancing the ability of the Canadian agricultural sector to seize domestic and international opportunities.
Investments in science and innovation are critical to maintaining the profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability of Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector, and are fundamental to Canada's growth agenda. Collaborations among government, Indigenous communities, industry, and academia are leveraging the necessary scientific capacity and partnerships to capture key opportunities for the agricultural sector, to accelerate the progress of science and technology development and transfer and to address increasingly complex challenges.
Agriculture also plays a key role in meeting government commitments related to clean growth and climate change. Through the Sustainable CAP, AAFC helps support the resiliency and sustainability of the sector, helping farmers adapt to climate change, conserve water and soil resources, and grow their businesses sustainably to meet increasing global food demand. In addition, AAFC is implementing initiatives in support of the Government of Canada's strengthened climate plan to support actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and realize other environmental benefits within the sector.
In addition to the economic forces within a competitive global marketplace, farmers face increased threats to food production and income posed by extreme weather events and animal or plant disease outbreaks. The effective implementation of a suite of business risk management tools for producers to access when they face significant risks supports sustainable growth. Furthermore, consumer demands are increasingly focused on the production methods and characteristics of Canadian products.
The Department works with provincial and territorial governments, other government departments, and industry stakeholders to maintain the integrity of supply chains and to protect the health and safety of workers, ensuring Canadians continue to have access to safe and nutritious food.
Ensuring alignment and facilitating responsiveness to the external environment is key to sector performance. Through ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders, AAFC strives to ensure its programs and services reflect the needs and expectations of the agriculture and agri-food sector in the context of current risks and opportunities. Furthermore, the Department remains committed to supporting diversity, equity, and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and other underrepresented and marginalized groups in the agriculture and agri-food sector – including women, youth, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, official languages minority communities, and 2SLGBTQI+ communities – through efforts to address barriers, increase representation, and provide equitable access to programs and services.