April 26, 2026 to May 02, 2026

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.

📋 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

• House Agriculture Committee to Address Business Risk Management: On May 5, the House of Commons Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee will hear from the Canadian Cattle Association, CropLife Canada, Agi3 Ltd, and the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture to discuss business risk management programs in Canada's agriculture sector. The televised meeting will run from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET.
• International Trade Committee Examines Trade with Africa and Canadian Pork Sector: On May 5, the House International Trade Committee will discuss Canada's trade with North and West Africa and free trade within Canada, hearing testimony from several stakeholders including the Canadian Pork Council.
• Public Accounts Committee Reviews 2026 Spring Auditor General Reports: The House Public Accounts Committee will meet on May 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET to review the 2026 Spring Reports of the Auditor General of Canada, with officials including Karen Hogan, Auditor General, scheduled to appear.
• Senate Agriculture Committee to Discuss Food Security and Sector Overview: The Senate's Agriculture and Forestry Committee will convene on May 5 at 6:30 p.m. for a session covering issues in agriculture and forestry as well as food security, with Brodie Berrigan of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture as a witness.
• Senate Committee Schedules May 7 Meeting on Agriculture and Food Sector Basics: On May 7, the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee will hold a session focused on the fundamentals of the agri-food sector (Ag101) featuring witnesses including farmers and academics.

Federal Government News

PrairiesCan Rolls Out Major AI and Innovation Investments in Saskatchewan

On April 30, the Government of Canada, through Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), announced $7.9 million in federal funding to expand Saskatchewan’s technology and agtech ecosystem. The investments target collaboration at tech incubator Co.Labs and support for five organizations developing and adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in the province. Co.Labs will use $3.7 million to advance its agtech programming, expand Expert and X-in-Residence programs, and host Uniting the Prairies (UP) conferences. Additional funding supports Coconut Software Corporation ($1.5 million), Vendasta Technologies Inc. ($1.4 million), HomeTeam Live Technologies Inc. ($976,730), the University of Regina ($257,167 for an AI tree ring data platform), and Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan Corp. (AiSK) for a recent AI Expo. The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII), a component of the funding, includes repayable and non-repayable interest-free support aimed at accelerating AI adoption in sectors including agriculture.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Rail Freight Price Indices Announced for 2026–2027 Crop Year

The Canadian Transportation Agency has set the Volume-Related Composite Price Index (VRCPI) for the upcoming 2026–2027 crop year at 1.9864 for Canadian National Railway (CN) and 1.9474 for Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), representing increases of 0.66% and 0.65%, respectively, over the previous year. These indices, which factor in historical and forecasted costs for labour, fuel, material, and capital, underpin the Maximum Revenue Entitlement for the movement of western grain, effective August 1. The index will be applied when determining allowable grain shipping revenues for CN and CPKC by year end 2027. The VRCPI functions as an inflation factor in calculating regulatory freight rates for the grain sector.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CFIA Expands Emerald Ash Borer Regulated Area in Quebec and Nova Scotia

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated its containment measures for the emerald ash borer (EAB), extending regulated zones to three areas in Quebec (Bonaventure, Charlevoix-Est, and La Tuque) and part of Hants County in Nova Scotia. Movement of ash materials and all firewood out of regulated areas without CFIA authorization is now restricted. This move follows detections outside prior containment zones and is intended to slow EAB’s spread. EAB infestations continue to threaten forest and urban ash populations, impacting multiple forestry and agri-food supply chains. The CFIA will pursue further review of its EAB management strategy following a public consultation in late 2025, with decisions expected in 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Global Affairs Announces $51.5 Million for Global Impact Investing and Blended Finance

On May 1, Secretary of State Randeep Sarai, during the Paris G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting, unveiled $51.5 million in Canadian funding for new international initiatives. Projects include $1.9 million for Canadian leadership in global impact investing, $7 million to support Convergence Blended Finance, $28 million for the Allianz Credit Emerging Markets Fund—which targets financing for sectors like climate-smart agriculture—$4.6 million to enhance the SOURCE global infrastructure platform, and $10 million for the Global Innovation Fund Growth program. These efforts are intended to expand financing and private capital for development, infrastructure, and climate-resilient activities in emerging markets.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Oilseed Crushers Boost Canola Processing Volumes in March 2026

Statistics Canada data show that oilseed processors crushed 1.1 million tonnes of canola in March 2026, a month-over-month increase of 15.3% and up 7.1% from March 2025. Oil production reached 468,800 tonnes while meal output totaled 643,100 tonnes for the month.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Statistics Canada Releases Fresh Poultry and Egg Data for April 2026

Updated poultry and egg statistics are available for April 2026, including province-level data on stocks of frozen eggs, poultry meats, and edible dried egg products. The dataset covers hatchery chick and turkey poult placements (March 2026) and national egg production (February 2026).

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Milled Wheat and Flour Production Figures Posted for Q1 2026

Canadian millers reported production of 856,000 tonnes of milled wheat and 672,000 tonnes of wheat flour during the first quarter of 2026, according to newly published Statistics Canada figures.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Machinery and Equipment Price Index for February 2026 Now Available

The Machinery and Equipment Price Index (base year 2016=100) was released for February 2026, with sector-level breakdowns accessible on the Statistics Canada Daily portal.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Revised Data on Honey Production and Value for 2025 Released

Updated figures are now available for Canada’s 2025 honey production and market value, with revisions accessible via Statistics Canada.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Employment Insurance Beneficiaries in Rural and Small Town Canada Dashboard Updated

Statistics Canada’s interactive dashboard on Employment Insurance beneficiaries in rural and small-town Canada has been refreshed with February 2026 data and analysis.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Business Financing Survey Results for Late 2025 Released

Statistics Canada has published results from the Biannual Survey of Suppliers of Business Financing, covering the second half of 2025. Data offer an industry-wide view of recent financing conditions.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Invests $8 Million to Expand IP Support for Research Sector

Ontario announced up to $8 million through Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) to increase IP supports for colleges, universities, and research institutions, boosting commercialization and protection of homegrown agri-food innovations.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Invests in Rural Rodeo and Agri-Tourism

The Alberta government highlights more than $1.3 million in Travel Alberta funds since 2023 to support rodeo events and rural agri-tourism initiatives, benefiting local agricultural businesses and rural communities.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

B.C. Changes Wildlife Act to Protect Wild Sheep Populations

British Columbia revised the Wildlife Act to classify domestic sheep in a way that allows more direct removal of stray animals posing disease risks to wild herds, bringing rules in line with existing regulations on goats.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Quebec Extends Water Conservation Strategy through 2026

Quebec extends its water conservation strategy (SQEEP) until end of 2026, directing municipalities to continue reporting and ongoing action on water consumption management.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Issues Alert After Cryptosporidium Outbreak on Petting Farm

Alberta Health has declared a cryptosporidium outbreak linked to Butterfield Acres Petting Farm in Calgary, with the farm temporarily closed.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Government Consultations

Health Canada Consults on Registration of AGRI-MEK SC Containing Abamectin

A public consultation is underway regarding the registration of AGRI-MEK SC (abamectin) for controlling stem and bulb nematodes in garlic bulbs. Comments are accepted until June 12, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Consultation Opens on GATTEN Fungicide for Greenhouse Crops

Health Canada is seeking input on the proposed registration of GATTEN Fungicide (flutianil), intended for use against powdery mildew in greenhouse vegetables and ornamentals; submissions are open until June 14, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Farmers grapple with agtech costs: Analysis of farm adoption trends and financing for new technology.
• Export prospects shift amid global grain surplus: The latest on international demand for Canadian grain crops.
• Avian influenza persists in U.S. poultry sector: U.S. industry navigates ongoing avian flu disruptions.
• Innovation clusters drive prairie ag growth: Regional approaches to supporting agtech startups and commercialization.
• Supply chain stress and agricultural input costs: Insights into rising costs of fertilizers, agrochemicals, and logistics.
• China’s changing grain import preferences: The effect of import shifts on Canadian grain marketing.
• Policy shift slows biotech crop approvals: Regulatory trends affecting genetically modified trait commercialization.
• Drought outlook for western Canada tightens: Weather and soil moisture projections impacting seeding operations.
• Honey production strategies in new climate realities: How industry is responding to environmental variability.
• Egg grading and market transparency updates: Industry eyes adjustments to improve supply chain information.

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