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.

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Dates: 2026-01-26 to 2026-02-01

📋 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 and Agri-Food Committee Studies Reference Prices in Beef and Pork Supply Chains: On February 3, the House committee will meet to discuss reference prices in beef and pork supply chains from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with witnesses from True North Foods, Viandes Lafrance, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food.
• House Health Committee Reviews Antimicrobial Resistance in Agriculture: On February 3, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Health Committee will cover the election of a Vice-Chair and hear testimony on antimicrobial resistance with witnesses including academic experts, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, the Canadian Pork Council, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
• International Trade Committee Studies UK Accession to CPTPP and Agri-Food Implications: The International Trade Committee meets February 3, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., for Bill C-13, reviewing the UK’s accession to CPTPP and implications for Canadian meat and cattle exports, with witnesses from the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Cattle Association, and British Canadian Chamber of Trade and Commerce.
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee Considers Bill S-230, National Soil Health Strategy: On February 3, the Senate committee will discuss Bill S-230 to develop a national strategy for soil health, with presentations from Senator Robert Black and officials from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Natural Resources Canada.
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee Continues Bill S-230 Examination: On February 5, the committee will hear from the Soil Conservation Council of Canada, Canadian Standards Association, and the Soil Health Institute regarding soil health protection and Bill S-230.

Federal Government News

Federal Government Proposes Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit to Address Food Affordability and Support Agri-Food Producers

On January 30, 2026, Minister Eleanor Olszewski, on behalf of PrairiesCan, outlined the federal government’s plan to assist households facing rising food costs through the proposed Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit. Legislation before Parliament would deliver a one-time top-up payment, distributed as early as possible this spring and no later than June 2026, equal to a 50% increase in the annual GST Credit for 2025-26. This measure would provide $3.1 billion in immediate support to existing GST Credit recipients. Additionally, a 25% increase in the benefit is slated for five years starting July 2026, expanding eligibility and delivering an estimated $8.6 billion through 2030-31, benefiting an additional 500,000 individuals and families. Other measures include $500 million from the Strategic Response Fund for businesses to offset supply chain disruptions, a $150 million Food Security Fund under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative for SMEs, immediate expensing for greenhouse acquisitions made after November 4, 2025, $20 million in Local Food Infrastructure Fund support for food banks, and the development of a National Food Security Strategy. The strategy contains provisions for unit price labelling and bolstering Competition Bureau oversight in the food supply chain.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and India Engage on Potash Supply and Agricultural Cooperation

Minister Tim Hodgson, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, met on January 29 with Jagat Prakash Nadda, India’s Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers. Discussions included India's sourcing of approximately a quarter of its potash requirement from Canadian producers, and the potential for new long-term supply agreements. Minister Hodgson reiterated Canada's intention to support India’s agricultural productivity and highlighted policy measures to enhance competitiveness for investments in Canadian mining and potash technologies. Both ministers addressed the importance of maintaining stable access to critical minerals for food security, and signaled plans for extended bilateral collaboration in mining, exploration, and fertilizer technology relevant to long-term nutrient management.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal and Alberta Governments Invest $224.78 Million to Expand High-Speed Internet for Rural Communities

On January 30, Secretary of State for Rural Development Buckley Belanger and Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish announced up to $224.78 million in federal and provincial funding for 26 broadband infrastructure projects, with the aim of connecting 82,584 households, 1,634 of which are Indigenous. The Government of Canada is contributing an additional $24.5 million for a project in four communities, including 676 Indigenous households. Funding comes from the Universal Broadband Fund, designed to provide high-speed Internet in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. The federal goal remains to reach 98% of Canadian households by year-end 2026 and full coverage by 2030. Expanded connectivity is positioned to facilitate industry adoption of digital tools and to support rural agri-businesses.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Proposes Development of a National Food Security Strategy

Minister Marjorie Michel announced on January 30 in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, that the federal government is in the process of developing a National Food Security Strategy. This strategy will address factors impacting domestic food production and market access, as well as the implementation of unit price labelling. The plan also includes regulatory oversight to enhance competition within food supply chains, to be supported by the Competition Bureau.

Sources: www.canada.ca

New Statistics Canada Data: Farm Family Income and Oilseed Processing Volumes

Statistics Canada reported that the average total income of single-farm families rose by 0.9% to $216,021 in 2023, with off-farm income increasing by 2.2% and average net operating income slightly down by 0.6% to $99,233. Separate data for December 2025 show canola crushing volumes grew 2.2% month-over-month and 6.1% year-over-year, reaching 1.1 million tonnes, with oil production at 456,300 tonnes and meal production at 622,200 tonnes. These figures provide insight into sector profitability and processing capacity at both the farm and industry levels.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Poultry and Egg Statistics for January 2026 Released

On January 30, Statistics Canada made available the latest data on frozen poultry meats, eggs, edible dried egg products, hatchery chick placements, turkey poults, and egg production, covering January 2026 and referencing prior months. The release covers both national and provincial breakdowns and is intended to inform assessments of production capacity and inventory.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Nutrition North Canada and Local Food Infrastructure Initiatives for Remote Communities

Minister Rebecca Chartrand detailed, during a Winnipeg event, measures to support access to food in northern and remote communities. Nutrition North Canada is collaborating with partners to reduce transportation costs for nutritious foods, covering 16 isolated northern Manitoba communities as well as similar areas. Subsidiary programs include the Harvesters Support Grant and Community Food Programs Fund, with funding directed toward food harvesting and storage infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Finance Secretary Long on Targeted Affordability and Supply Chain Measures

On January 30, Secretary of State Wayne Long reviewed the details of recently introduced legislation, including the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, emphasizing parliamentary movement to provide new indexed support to GST Credit recipients and to extend this benefit to new households beginning in spring 2026, subject to Royal Assent. He also referenced new funding for the Food Security Fund, expanded supply chain response funds, immediate expensing for greenhouse assets acquired after November 4, 2025, and additional investments in the Local Food Infrastructure Fund.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Multiple Federal Ministries Promote Affordability and Food Security Measures Nationwide

Between January 26 and 30, Ministers and Secretaries of State from a variety of federal portfolios (including Global Affairs, Health, Crown-Indigenous Relations, and Women and Gender Equality) held events across the country to publicize affordability efforts, emphasizing the broad demographic and regional reach of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and associated supply chain, food security, and infrastructure programming.

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

Provincial Government News

Ontario Secures New Food Packaging Investment to Strengthen Supply Chain

On January 27, Ontario announced Massilly North America’s $85 million commitment to establish a manufacturing facility for food cans in Brantford, safeguarding 228 jobs and creating 50 more, with $5 million in provincial support through the Ontario Together Trade Fund.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Alberta and Canada Advance Rural Broadband Access

On January 30, Alberta and federal officials unveiled new broadband investments targeting 83,600 additional rural and remote households; 27 projects will receive over $373 million, including support for 3,488 Indigenous households.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

New Brunswick Renews Air Quality Approval for McCain Foods Plant

On January 28, New Brunswick renewed a Class 1 air quality approval for the McCain Foods plant in Florenceville-Bristol. The updated permit, effective March 1 for five years, is required for major food processors under provincial Clean Air Act regulations.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Nova Scotia Modernizes Permitting System to Reduce Regulatory Burden

Nova Scotia’s Office of Service Efficiency initiated changes to its permitting system in 2025, including elimination of low-risk permits, service standard requirement implementation, and fee restructuring, with projected business savings of approximately $737,000 annually.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Opens Consultation on Updated Directive for Managing Bacterial Ring Rot (BRR) in Seed Potatoes

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency launched a consultation on January 26 regarding its new directive for Bacterial Ring Rot control on seed potato farms, with stakeholder feedback accepted until February 24, 2026.

Sources: inspection.canada.ca

Consultation on Registrations for Isocycloseram and Related Pest Control Products

Health Canada’s PMRA opened a consultation on January 29 regarding the proposed registration of isocycloseram and associated end-use products, accepting comments until February 28, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Health Canada PMRA Solicits Input on Registration Decision for Cold Pressed Orange Oil

A new consultation initiated January 27 by Health Canada’s PMRA seeks comments on the proposed registration of cold pressed orange oil for pest control in greenhouse and field crops; responses are welcome through February 25, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Canadian Centre for Food Integrity issues Statement on Government’s Food Affordability Measures: The Canadian Centre for Food Integrity releases a statement about newly announced federal affordability measures.
• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada closing research centre in Lacombe: AAFC to close the Lacombe research centre, affecting research activities and jobs in Alberta.
• 'A punch in the gut': Why food costs have become Canadians’ top worry: Canadian consumers cite food costs as a top concern amid ongoing price inflation.
• Can rebates or price freezes help tackle soaring food costs?: Discussion of policy tools for food affordability including rebates and price controls.
• Can rebates or price freezes help tackle soaring food costs?: Additional analysis of policy responses to food cost pressures.
• Winnipeg culinary program helps tackle food insecurity: A local culinary program in Winnipeg demonstrates new approaches to addressing food insecurity.

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