MB agriculture producers seek answers in federal election

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This article was published 18/03/2025 (196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Trade and tariffs are top of mind for Manitoba’s agricultural producers as a federal election looms.

With an election call likely in a matter of days, the big question for Canada’s next government, according to Cam Dahl, general manager of Manitoba Pork, will be: “What’s your plan?”

“Pork producers in Manitoba are caught between tariffs in China and potential tariffs coming from the U.S., and those are a couple of our largest markets,” said Dahl, whose organization represents hog producers in the province. “And so the big question (is) … What is your concrete plan for addressing agriculture trade issues?”

Colin Hornby, general manager of Keystone Agricultural Producers, agreed.

“Nothing else really matters right now,” he said. “We could talk about regulatory issues and business risk-management programs and things like that, but those are almost like window dressing right now.”

Dahl and Hornby shared their thoughts Tuesday during a lunch-hour panel discussion at the Norwood Hotel in Winnipeg. Two dozen people attended the event, organized by the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association.

In 2024, Manitoba’s agri-food exports value reached $9.28 billion.

The U.S. is the province’s top agri-food trade partner, with $4.29 billion in exports to the U.S. last year. China was the second-largest destination for Manitoba’s agri-food exports in 2024, accounting for 15 per cent of exports.

Hornby, whose organization has approximately 4,600 farmer members and is supported by 20 commodity group members, warned of the fallout that would occur if Canada could no longer trade with the U.S. and China.

“People are going to go bankrupt,” he said. “It’s just going to be awful.”

When asked what issues agricultural producers feel have been ignored in recent years, Hornby said a point of contention with farmers is the prevailing focus on reducing carbon emissions.

“Everything (is) about reducing emissions,” he said. “But in our opinion … if you’re increasing how many bushels you’re getting on the same amount of land, that may be more sustainable. If you’re creating more with less, that should be something that’s taken into consideration.”

Many current members of Parliament come from urban backgrounds, Hornby added, which can pose challenges when relating to the agricultural industry.

According to Dahl, agricultural producers need to speak with political candidates, ask them questions and provide information about what’s important to them. Groups that represent agricultural producers need to empower their members to do this.

“Elections are when politicians actually listen to us,” he said. “And so we need to have that level of engagement. It makes a difference.”

When Dahl considers what his greatest fears or worries are for farmers, trade is at the top of the list.

“If we’re facing tariffs from China and the United States long term, it’s going to cost jobs,” he said. “There’s just no way around that.”

Hornby added as agricultural producers acclimate to an environment where “tariffs are no longer a flaw but a feature in the system,” he is concerned about young farmers. “How do we ensure the viability of a lot of the farms in Manitoba, and in Canada overall, for the next generation?”

During the question-and-answer period, Brenna Mahoney, manager of public and government affairs for BASF Canada, observed while this is a challenging time for the agricultural industry, it’s brought producers together.

It’s also an opportunity for Canada’s next government to make sure it has the infrastructure in place — such as reliable rail lines and sufficient port capacity — to ensure a free flow of goods, as well as a regulatory environment that promotes trade with other countries.

“We’re either in a crisis (or) recovering from a crisis but we’re never preparing for a crisis,” Mahoney said. “I’d love to see us, as an industry, work together to make sure that we’re ready for the next crisis.”

The Manitoba Farm Writers and Farm Broadcasters Association brings together journalists, broadcasters and communicators with a specialization in agriculture from across the keystone province for personal and professional development.

It was founded in 1956.

aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca