Canadian Budget Includes Major Cuts to Agriculture, New Incentives for Investment

Host of RealAg Radio Shaun Haney discusses how the proposed reductions to agriculture programs in Canada’s new budget could affect research and support programs that farmers need.

ALBERTA, CANADA (RFD-TV) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney released his government’s first budget on Tuesday, outlining significant spending shifts — including more than $100 million in cuts at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Host of RealAg Radio Shaun Haney joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to discuss how the reductions could affect research and support programs that farmers rely on.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Haney says it remains to be seen whether the measure will meaningfully improve competitiveness on Canadian farms. At the same time, the budget introduces a new “productivity super-deduction” to encourage business investment.

The government also emphasized trade diversification and the development of new export corridors, part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on existing markets. Haney says that while those initiatives could benefit agriculture in the long term, questions remain about how quickly producers will see results.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Secretary Rollins’ plan targets high costs, labor challenges, and export growth, delivering relief at home while building markets abroad.
Transportation challenges are mounting as droughts lower Mississippi River levels and push freight rates higher.
Waiting could risk leaving next year’s crop unprotected.
Michigan corn farmer and NCGA Vice President-Elect Matt Frostic will lead the task force. He joined us on Thursday to share his insights on the escalating corn crisis.
Speaking about his administration’s tariff strategy, Trump acknowledged that producers could face financial strain in the short term but promised stopgap support.
Rising cow numbers and higher yields are boosting milk supplies, which may keep pressure on prices and farm margins into the fall.