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: 2026-02-02 to 2026-02-08

📋 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

• Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee: Food Security Sector Study Meeting: The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry will meet February 12, 2026, to examine the role of the agriculture and agri-food sector in Canadian food security. Witnesses include Sylvain Charlebois (Dalhousie), Geoffrey McCarney (Smart Prosperity Institute), Alex Boyd (Greener Village), as well as representatives from Safe Food Matters and the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity.
• House of Commons Human Resources Committee: Bill C-15 Budget Provisions Study: The House Human Resources, Skills and Social Development Committee meets February 9, 2026 (3:30–5:30 p.m.) to study Clauses 571, 573–575, and 599 of Bill C-15. Witnesses include Judith Barry (Breakfast Club of Canada), Carolyn Webb (Coalition for Healthy School Food), Bibi Wasiimah Joomun (Canadian Alliance of Student Associations), and Prof. Cedric Kam Tat Cheung (Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association of Canada).

Federal Government News

Senate Committee Examines Soil Health Protection Bill S-230

The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, now chaired by Senator Mary Robinson after Senator Robert Black's resignation, has begun reviewing Bill S-230, intended to establish a national strategy for soil health protection. Committee discussions addressed standardized soil health measurement, regional benchmarking, and economic considerations for farmers. Participants from the Canadian Standards Association noted the necessity of consistent soil standards, while the Soil Health Institute argued for interoperable lab data and practical partnerships. Integration of Indigenous knowledge and concerns over data privacy and the costs associated with soil testing were central points. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Natural Resources Canada representatives cited the advantages of industry-led collaboration and scalable best practices. The proposed national soil information system would allow for collaborative tracking, with a focus on both urban and rural soil health for climate adaptation purposes.

Sources: senparlvu.parl.gc.ca, senparlvu.parl.gc.ca

PacifiCan Invests $5 Million in Vancouver Island Food Distribution Facility

Minister Gregor Robertson (Pacific Economic Development Canada) announced a $5 million investment in Nanaimo's Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank to construct a 24,000-square-foot centralized food recovery and distribution warehouse. The facility will support expanded storage and modernized loading bays, facilitating greater capacity for donations and more shipments to remote communities from Victoria to Haida Gwaii. The initiative targets stabilization of year-round food supply and reduction of food waste, addressing rising food costs and strengthening supply chains in British Columbia.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Reappointment to Farm Products Council of Canada Announced

Minister Heath MacDonald confirmed the reappointment of Samantha Haverkamp as a Member of the Farm Products Council of Canada, for another three-year term starting April 21, 2026. Haverkamp, a hatching egg producer from Vanessa, Ontario, also chairs the Ontario Broiler Chicken Hatching Egg Producers Association and serves on the Poultry Industry Council's Board of Directors. Her background spans agricultural input procurement and financial services. Her ongoing involvement is expected to contribute to continuity within FPCC across poultry and broader agri-food sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Residual Spectrum Auction Supports Rural Connectivity

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada released results from the 2026 residual spectrum auction, awarding 196 out of 207 available licences to three companies. This nearly complete allocation intends to boost competition, facilitate deployment of 5G technologies, and improve connectivity in rural and remote areas. The awarded licences contain strict deployment requirements to ensure timely access for Canadians. Improved communications infrastructure is expected to support agricultural operations dependent on high-speed connectivity.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Data Shows Higher Prairie Wheat and Canola Stocks

Statistics Canada released new data indicating increased total stocks of wheat, canola, barley, and oats in Western Canada as of December 31, 2025, driven by higher production. In contrast, corn for grain and soybean stocks were lower due to diminished production in Eastern Canada. These shifts reflect current cropping patterns and regional yields, which may affect supply availability and pricing.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Machinery and Equipment Price Index Now Updated for November 2025

The Machinery and Equipment Price Index (2016=100) has been updated for November 2025, providing the latest benchmarking for capital costs affecting farm machinery acquisition. This metric enables producers and processors to track cost changes over time for equipment purchases and replacements.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Retail Prices for Selected Products Available for December 2025

Monthly average retail price data for selected products have been released for December 2025, offering insights into consumer pricing trends for agricultural outputs and food products. Stakeholders may reference this data for statistical comparisons, marketing decisions, and financial planning.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia Beef Initiative Launches Two Support Programs

Nova Scotia announced two funding streams to assist beef producers and abattoirs, allocating $1.5 million for equipment upgrades and increased processing capacity. The programs are intended to enhance local beef production and support industry competitiveness.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Québec Poultry Farmers Request Regulation Amendment

Québec poultry producers have submitted a request to amend the Regulation on chicken production and marketing, proposing to remove Article 59. The Régie is accepting written comments from interested parties until March 11, 2026.

Sources: www.quebec.ca

Alberta Minister Objects to Federal Rejection of Strychnine for RGS Management

Minister RJ Sigurdson publicly responded to the federal PMRA's rejection of emergency use for strychnine, describing the pest control challenge facing Alberta and Saskatchewan, particularly with Richardson’s ground squirrels.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Kennebecasis Valley Food Basket Expansion Funded in New Brunswick

New Brunswick committed up to $370,000 to modernize the Kennebecasis Valley Food Basket, enabling improved facility layouts, food preparation, and expanded services for local families.

Sources: www2.gnb.ca

Emergency Barge Service Maintains Agricultural Supply for Westham Island, BC

The provincial government, in partnership with TransLink, is funding emergency barge transportation to Westham Island after bridge damage, preserving movement of seed potatoes and other agricultural products.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Stakeholder Feedback Sought on Hatchery and Feed Establishment Licensing Fees

Canadian Food Inspection Agency is inviting input on proposed alignment of licensing fee recovery for hatcheries and feed establishments with current Safe Food for Canadians fees. Consultation runs until February 11, 2026.

Sources: inspection.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• ‘Avian influenza is one of the biggest challenges we’ve ever faced’: Poultry producers celebrate innovation amid industry challenges: Industry reports on adapting to avian influenza outbreaks with new technology and management approaches.
• Opinion | Amid U.S. food wars, Canada’s guide stays true to science and sustainability: Canadian food guide evaluated against evolving US regulatory debates.
• BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada opens 2026 nominations for Growing Home with BASF: Announcement of BASF program nominations recognizes community agricultural projects.
• Agricultural conference in Sudbury focuses on the future of farming: Research, innovation and agriculture technology highlighted at Sudbury event.
• Newell County steps in to save shuttered Crop Diversification Centre: Local government intervention restores crop research infrastructure.
• Farmers applaud new N.S. pilot program aimed at improving access to agricultural land: Nova Scotia pilot program reported aim is to make agricultural land more available.
• N.S. government spending $1.5M on programs to support local beef: Nova Scotia allocates funding to bolster local beef production and processing.
• Newell County steps in to save shuttered Crop Diversification Centre: Alternative reporting on reopening crop research facility in Alberta.
• Farmers applaud new N.S. pilot program aimed at improving access to agricultural land: Complementary coverage of agricultural land access efforts in Nova Scotia.

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