Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, fertilizers, ranchers, cattlemen and cattlewomen, and their upstream suppliers and downstream buyers. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Dates: 2025-06-22 to 2025-06-28

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📱 Public Officials' Social Media
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Canada and Ontario Commit $5 Million to Improve Grazing Lands for Cattle Farmers

On June 26, the governments of Canada and Ontario announced a joint investment of up to $5 million to increase productivity and resilience in community grazing pastures across Ontario. Delivered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Community Pastures Initiative will fund up to 100% of eligible costs for projects such as rotational grazing, seeding resilient perennial forages, restoration of permanent grasslands, creation of riparian and pollinator buffers, and integrated grazing systems. The initiative aims to allow cattle producers to stay competitive in the face of economic challenges and U.S. uncertainty, while supporting biodiversity and soil health. The funding is part of the five-year, $3.5-billion Sustainable CAP framework (2023–2028).

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

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Drought Relief Package Unveiled for Saskatchewan Producers, AgriStability Deadline Extended

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Saskatchewan launched new drought support measures via the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) on June 27. SCIC is doubling the low yield appraisal process thresholds, enabling producers to divert low-yielding crops to feed without affecting their future insurance coverage. All qualifying acres must be used as livestock feed to benefit. Additional losses and feed acquisition expenses may be covered by the AgriStability Program, whose enrollment deadline for 2025 has been moved to July 31. Eligible producers in the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program will start receiving claim payments beginning July 15. These actions are aimed at cushioning the impact of reduced hay and pasture output from dry weather.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Bill C-5 Receives Royal Assent, Launches Implementation of Free Trade and Labour Mobility, and Major Project Acceleration

On June 26, the Government of Canada confirmed Royal Assent for Bill C-5, enacting the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act. Under the new legislation, the government will consult with provinces, territories, and Indigenous rights-holders to develop a list of major projects deemed to be of national interest. Additionally, with the Free Trade and Labour Mobility provisions, federal requirements concerning interprovincial trade of goods and services may now be recognized as fulfilled when comparable provincial or territorial rules are in force. This is intended to reduce duplication in regulation, including for agrifood businesses operating interprovincially.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

New Website Launches to Support Prince Edward Island Producers’ Access to Agricultural Programs

A new website, launched by Prince Edward Island's Department of Agriculture with support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, provides a centralized hub for information related to the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). The site enables PEI producers to more efficiently identify, understand, and apply for funding opportunities, review program documentation, and connect with officials for application support. The initiative is part of an effort to help Island producers access federal funding and success stories are showcased.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Announces Investments in Alberta Agri-Tech and AI Initiatives

Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced $10.9 million in repayable and non-repayable funding for seven Alberta projects, including agri-food technology and AI-based agriculture tools, via the Business Scale-up and Productivity (BSP) program and the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII). Recipients include Phoenix Farms Ltd. to implement AI-powered potato sorting, and the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network to support agricultural technology demonstrations. PrairiesCan’s RAII, part of the 2024 budget’s commitment, targets commercialization and adoption of AI in sectors such as agriculture. The broader funding package supports business productivity, the export readiness of producers, and adoption of advanced manufacturing and digital solutions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Reports Increases in Wheat, Oat, Soybean, Lentil, Corn, and Dry Pea Acreage for 2025

According to June 2025 figures from Statistics Canada, farmers reported higher planted areas for wheat, oats, soybeans, lentils, corn, and dry peas compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, canola and barley acreages decreased. These shifts may affect the supply outlook for a range of commodity exports and in 2025.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canola Crush Volumes Down Year-Over-Year, Statistics Canada Reports

Oilseed processors crushed 831,200 tonnes of canola in May 2025, representing a decline of 9.6% from April and 9.7% from May 2024. Oil production for May reached 353,200 tonnes, with meal production at 490,000 tonnes. These figures follow the broader trend of shifting commodity acreage reported for the year.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Canadian Mushroom Production and Sales Continue Growth Trend in 2024

Statistics Canada data shows Canadian mushroom growers sold 163,769 short tons of mushrooms in 2024, a 4.6% increase over 2023, continuing nine years of consecutive production growth. Sales values rose by 4.8% to reach $749.5 million, attributed to increased output and price gains for fresh and processed products.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

Data Released on Business R&D Spending for Environmental and Clean Technology Products

Statistics Canada published updated business expenditure data for R&D on environmental protection and clean technology products in 2020 and 2021. These figures contribute to assessing private sector engagement in innovation areas with potential downstream effects for farm and ag-processing practices.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

FDA Seeks Comments on Proposed Requirements for Third-Party Food Safety Audits and Certifications

On June 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a request for public comments on its proposed information collection for the accreditation of third-party certification bodies (CBs) responsible for conducting food safety audits of foreign food facilities exporting to the United States. The Accredited Third-Party Certification Program, authorized under section 808 of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, is expected to affect approximately 200,000 foreign exporters, including 71,000 farms. Comments are due by August 26, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Final Rule Moves Meat and Poultry Inspection State Listings to Web Platform

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) finalized a rule effective June 26 that removes state listings of meat and poultry inspection programs from federal regulations, relocating them to the FSIS website for real-time updates. The administrative change affects how industry and the public track which states operate inspection programs 'at least equal to' federal standards. The move does not modify program criteria, responsibilities, or federal assessment processes, but rather modifies the location and frequency of listing updates to improve information access and regulatory compliance.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

White House Features Provisions Aimed at Tax Relief for Farmers in New 'One Big Beautiful Bill'

The White House published an overview of President Trump's proposed 'One Big Beautiful Bill' on June 24, which includes measures to eliminate estate tax burdens for farmers, make business expensing permanent, and reduce compliance costs. Agricultural sector advocates, including representatives from the National Pork Producers Council and individual livestock producers, commented on the bill’s focus on rural economies, estate transfer, and investment incentives.

Sources: White House Announcements: www.whitehouse.gov

FDA Requests Feedback on Extension of Animal Feed BSE Rule Record-Keeping Requirements

The FDA opened a comment period for a proposed extension of information collection relating to the rule prohibiting specified animal proteins in ruminant feed to prevent bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The regulation, under 21 CFR 589.2000, requires manufacturers and distributors to maintain procedures and records for product separation and cleaning.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Conducts Public Comment Period for 2025 Organic Survey Reinstatement

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) issued a notice on June 27 requesting comments about reinstating the Organic Survey, designed to collect data from 27,000 organic farmers and ranchers. The survey is mandated under section 11023 of the Agricultural Act of 2014 to inform federal crop insurance offerings and market price elections.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Ontario Opens Applications for Expanded Rural Development Program to Counter Tariff Impacts

Ontario is accepting applications for the $20 million Rural Ontario Development program, which targets economic growth, job protection, and infrastructure upgrades in small communities affected by tariffs and trade disruptions. Funding streams include workforce retention, and community infrastructure.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Invests $2 Million in Veterinary Education Facility at Lakehead University

Ontario announced $2 million for a collaborative veterinary medicine program in Thunder Bay to address veterinarian shortages in rural and northern regions. The new facility, supported through the NOHFC, will train students for work in the agri-food sector and includes animal housing and clinical space.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Hilton Foods Receives Provincial Support for $192 Million Brantford Food Processing Facility

Ontario is supporting Hilton Foods' $192 million investment in a new protein food processing and distribution plant in Brantford, which is expected to create 150 jobs. The project received a $1.5 million grant from the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Food Processor Fined Following Workplace Fatality

Sofina Foods Inc. was penalized $330,000 after pleading guilty under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety Act for a 2023 workplace fatality at its Edmonton facility, with funds directed to developing industry-specific training on working in confined spaces.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Seeks Input on Proposed Milk Ingredient Labelling Changes

Starting June 25, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency began soliciting feedback on changes to the Common Names for Ingredients and Components Document, which impacts how 'milk ingredients' and 'modified milk ingredients' are listed on food labels. The consultation is open until August 25, 2025.

Sources: Canadian Government Consultations: N

Public Officials' Social Media

MP Heath MacDonald indicated that modifying the yield threshold for insurance in Saskatchewan will support crop and livestock producers facing ongoing dry conditions.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Robert Black reported meeting with CPMA representatives and colleagues, including Senator Lewis, to discuss federal support for Canada's fruit and vegetable supply chain.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Jeremy Patzer tweeted that agriculture remains central to the Canadian economy but is often overlooked by the current government.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

Senator Robert Black acknowledged favorable news for the Ontario and national agricultural sectors, referencing ongoing discussions in #OntAg and #CdnAg.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

MP Randeep Sarai met with Ghana's Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture to discuss collaborations for strengthening agri-food value chains in Ghana using Canadian expertise.

Sources: Social Media: x.com

What We're Reading This Week

• New Investment to Strengthen Canada’s Specialty Soybean Market and Boost Plant-Based Innovation: Canada’s specialty soy sector and its role in plant-based food innovation is receiving new backing.
• How Trump’s tariffs are affecting one pig farmer in Manitoba: A Manitoba producer faces ongoing uncertainty in the wake of U.S. tariff policies.
• New grant helps farmers fight phosphorus runoff: Funding assists Ontario farmers with strategies to address phosphorus runoff.
• Why cuts to a U.S. inspection agency matter for Canadian food: An investigation into how U.S. food inspection changes affect Canadian exports.
• This Ukrainian immigrant got loans from Canada and Ontario to start a meat plant here. Now, Ottawa says he’s inadmissible: A profile on the intersection of immigration and food processing business development.