Agriculture takes center stage in the Federal Election campaign for some candidates this week .
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) is holding their National Agricultural Leaders Debate on Thursday, April 17th.
CFA President Keith Currie says, like most Canadians, producers are concerned about what's happening south of the border and the plethora of executive orders that President Trump is putting in motion.
"We did get somewhat of a relief over the tariffs, although there are still some in place, and we're still trying to figure out how those are all gonna play out. So you know, that certainly is something that we're looking to the next government to try and at least negotiate with the US on and what that means for Canadian agriculture beyond the tariff situation. We're also looking for the government to really start to recognize agriculture and its opportunities for the economy of Canada. You know, we're hoping that for a change that the government looks at agriculture as that opportunity and really puts the rules and measures and programs in place that are going to benefit Canadian farmers and ranchers right across the country."
He feels with the current tariff situation on aluminum, steel, automobiles, and forestry, agriculture has lost some of the spotlight.
Currie notes when you put the GDP of those three industries as well as the employment of those three industries together, agriculture is like three times the size.
" So I think it's time that the government recognize the need for for agriculture and put us in a better place to deliver tremendous economic benefit to the country."
The CFA's National Agricultural Leaders Debate features the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Liberal Kody Blais, and agriculture critics John Barlow for the Conservatives, Heather Ray for the NDP, Maria Rodriguez for the Green Party and Yves Perron for the Bloc Quebecois.
You can watch the Canadian Federation of Agriculture National Agricultural Leaders Debate on the CFA YouTube channel, as well as their Facebook and LinkedIn pages, on Thursday, April 17th, 5 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Manitoba, and 3 p.m. in Saskatchewan and Alberta.