This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, ranchers and their upstream suppliers and downstream buyers. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Agri-Food? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Freight & Ports and Oil & Gas. Also consider subscribing to our Agri-Food - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• International Trade Committee Reviews Canada’s Trade with Mercosur and Africa—March 24: International Trade Committee will examine Canada’s trade relations with Mercosur countries and North and West Africa on March 24, with witnesses from the Canadian Meat Council, Chicken Farmers of Canada, and Fertilizer Canada. The session runs 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with webcast available.
• Government Operations and Estimates Committee Schedules Review on Rural Agriculture Funding—March 24: The OGGO committee will hold a session focused on the Comprehensive Expenditure Review, including the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, and Western Crop Innovations as witnesses, March 24 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Science and Research Committee to Discuss Antimicrobial Resistance—March 26: The Science and Research Committee will consider the draft report on Antimicrobial Resistance and the criteria for awarding federal research funding on March 26, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The meeting is scheduled in camera.
• Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry Considers Wildfire Impacts—March 24 and March 26: The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry will hold in-camera meetings March 24 (6:30 p.m.) and March 26 (8:00 a.m.) on the issue of wildfires and their effects on forestry, agriculture, and rural and Indigenous communities.

Federal Government News

Canada Growth Fund Announces $20 Million Investment in Québec Clean-Tech Fertilizer Company

Minister François-Philippe Champagne, accompanied by representatives from the Department of Finance Canada, announced a $20 million strategic investment in Solugen through the Canada Growth Fund, as part of a $50 million equity commitment involving Idealist Capital. Solugen, whose existing St-Patrice-de-Beaurivage facility produces liquid ammoniacal nitrogen fertilizer derived from hog manure under the brand Azogen, plans to use this funding to expand its current manufacturing capacity and construct a second facility in Québec. The product supports higher yields in organic crop production, boosting competitiveness with conventional farming. The investment targets North America's expanding organic farming market and is expected to generate additional employment in rural Québec. This initiative aims to support domestic supply chains and establish Canadian leadership in organic-friendly fertilizer technology.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Agri-Food and Seafood Trade Promoted at North America's Largest Seafood Expo

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald led a Canadian delegation to the Seafood Expo North America in Boston, joined by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson and provincial officials including Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz. The exposition featured 133 Canadian exhibitors representing eight provinces, promoting a range of fish and seafood to over 20,000 attendees. Minister MacDonald joined industry roundtables, engaged with companies such as Raspberry Point Oysters and Cooke Aquaculture, and visited U.S.-linked firms including Stop & Shop and Bay Street Milling. Bilateral trade in agri-food and seafood between Canada and the United States reached $100.2 billion (CAD) in 2025, with $6 billion attributed to fish and seafood exports. These activities focused on opportunities and challenges in maintaining integrated trade and resilient supply chains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CFIA Issues Penalties for Misleading 'Product of Canada' Labelling

Since April 1, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has imposed $47,000 in fines against five businesses for inaccurately or misleadingly marketing products as Canadian, including Fortinos Etobicoke, Fresh in The City Inc., Meatex Farms Ltd., Oxford Frozen Foods Inc., and Real Canadian Superstore. Non-compliant businesses were subject to inspection, required corrective actions, and enforcement measures. The CFIA states these compliance actions aim to ensure origin labelling accuracy so both industry and consumers have clear, reliable market information, affecting both domestically produced and imported foods under federal legislation.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Recommends Removal of Regulatory Barriers for Shared Kitchens and Food Hubs

A report released March 19, 2026, from the Competition Bureau Canada addresses regulatory limitations affecting shared kitchens and food hubs, whose shared infrastructure offers small and medium-sized businesses reduced costs in entering and expanding within the food sector. The report suggests harmonizing food safety and licensing rules across jurisdictions, clarifying compliance and inspection expectations for shared facilities, and using these sites as pilot platforms for regulatory innovation. The Bureau's findings are based on industry and regulatory consultations and are intended to support the competitiveness of smaller food producers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian International Trade Tribunal Launches Safeguard Inquiry into Vegetable Imports

The Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) initiated an inquiry on March 16, 2026, to determine whether increased imports of certain vegetable goods are causing serious injury or pose a threat to Canadian producers. If the Tribunal finds affirmative injury, it will recommend remedies under Canadian and international trade obligations for a period of up to three years. The inquiry considers both producer welfare and consumer affordability, with recommendations due to the Minister of Finance by September 9, 2026. Stakeholder participation is open through formal filings.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government of Canada Funds Tariff-Affected Businesses in Alberta Under Regional Tariff Response Initiative

On March 17, 2026, Prairies Economic Development Canada announced $4 million in federal investments to support four Alberta businesses—Barr-Ag, CAC Metal Recycling, GN Corporations, and Red Deer Ironworks—impacted by tariffs and shifting trade conditions. Each company received $1 million for equipment upgrades aimed at improving efficiency, expanding production, and strengthening supply chains across the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The funding, directed under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, supports job retention and supply chain resilience in central Alberta.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Enacted to Offset Rising Food Costs

Following the Royal Assent of Bill C-19 (Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit Act), the Government has introduced a one-time benefit to over 12 million Canadians, providing a 50% increase to the annual GST credit for 2025–2026 and up to $3.1 billion in relief. Beginning July 2026, the benefit will increase by 25% over five years, extending to 500,000 additional recipients, for a further $8.6 billion in support. Additional federal measures include a $500 million Strategic Response Fund, $150 million Food Security Fund, and $20 million to the Local Food Infrastructure Fund, as well as immediate expensing for greenhouse buildings and the development of a National Food Security Strategy, including support for unit price labelling and Competition Bureau enforcement in supply chains.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Freshwater Science Agenda Released to Guide Research Priorities

Minister Julie Dabrusin of Environment and Climate Change Canada announced the release of the National Freshwater Science Agenda during Canada Water Week. The Agenda is a 10-year framework shaped by input from over 800 experts and stakeholders, including Indigenous organizations and the broader scientific community. It will address research in water availability, land-use stressors, pollution, ecosystem resilience, biodiversity, and economic impacts, aiming to direct research and knowledge-sharing relevant for partners in agriculture and other sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Publishes Updated Employment Dashboard for Rural Canada

Statistics Canada has published a new version of the 'Employment by industry in rural Canada' interactive dashboard for February 2026. This resource provides updated data and analysis on labour trends across rural industries, offering fresh benchmarks for the agri-food sector and related rural employment categories.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Alberta Company Receives Major Agri-Processing Tax Credit for Facility Expansion

Siwin Foods Ltd. has secured a $1.8 million tax credit from the Government of Alberta's Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit program after investing more than $46 million in expanding its Edmonton processing facilities, resulting in the creation of over 100 jobs. The expansions boost Siwin's production capacity from 20,000 to 150,000 dumplings per hour for domestic and international markets, including Japan.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Manitoba Introduces Bill Banning Predatory Pricing Using Personal Data

The Manitoba government tabled an amendment to the Business Practices Act prohibiting retailers from using personal data to set higher prices for consumers, both in store and online. The bill targets grocery and retail price fairness, making such practices an unfair business activity.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Manitoba Invests in Infant Nutrition Through All Women Doing Well Strategy

Manitoba announced $300,000 in funding for Harvest Manitoba’s First Steps Infant Care Program, supporting access to formula, diapers, and nutrition for infants across the province. The program is expected to reach around 2,000 babies each month.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

Québec Rabbit Producers' Union Public Meeting Announced for November

The Quebec Agricultural and Food Markets Board published notice of a public meeting for the Quebec Rabbit Producers' Union to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions under the 2021-2025 Joint Plan, scheduled for November 4, 2026, via Zoom.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation on Permitting Drone Use for Pesticide Applications Open Until March 25

Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency is receiving comments until March 25, 2026, on Regulatory Proposal PRO2026-01, seeking input on the proposed use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (drones) for applying pesticides registered for aerial application.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Fines for false made-in-Canada claims could chill investment, food manufacturers say: Manufacturers raise concerns over investment impact amid regulatory crackdowns on food origin labelling.
• Manitoba bill targets technology that could alter grocery prices for some shoppers: Proposed provincial legislation addresses the use of personal data for pricing in retail and grocery.
• Opinion | You can’t have national security without food security. Can Canada really achieve both?: Opinion piece considers the link between food supply and national security.
• Cattle producers push back as N.B. moves to end provincially run veterinary care: New Brunswick cattle farmers react to provincial changes in veterinary service delivery.
• Farmers outraged over N.B. government’s move to privatize large animal veterinarian service: Coverage of industry response to privatization of New Brunswick’s large animal veterinary care.
• Iran war has US farmers worried about the cost and availability of fertilizer: US agriculture industry faces rising fertilizer concerns due to global conflict.
• Opinion: Trump is all hat, no cattle when it comes to American farmers: Commentary discusses recent US agri-policy debates.

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