There are growing opportunities for Canada’s agri-food sector globally right now, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. It is critical that we capitalize on these opportunities by understanding what they are and how we are uniquely positioned to fill the gaps. It is also critical that we develop a strong, and actionable strategy to do so. Here are some elements that should be captured in such a strategy:

Keep the world focused on the coming food security crisis  

• Take leadership of the FAO group, with a focus on disseminating and updating the organization’s work on climate change, agricultural trade and global food security

Employ a ‘soft power’ strategy  

• Build consensus for a coalition of the willing
• End the weaponizing of food and rebalance the terms of trade

Enhance trading relations with food-deficit allies such as Japan 

• Introduce an “Export Assurance” strategy for guaranteed purchases

Rethink a Competition Bureau strategy

• Rethink the Competition Bureau strategy, taking global context into account.

Introduce industrial policy to build our agri-food strategic asset 

• Establish plans to grow Canada’s agri-food sector, manage risk, exploit opportunities in the Indo-Pacific and lessen our reliance on the U.S
• Establish strategic initiatives to shift the risk/reward dynamic for SMEs and larger Canadian processors
• Rethink the Canadian innovation system, with a focus on creating opportunities and mitigating existential threats

Use and create FTAs as a strong tool to support the growth of the Canadian agri-food industry

• Ensure existing FTAs are working to the industry’s favour and being enforced (Canada currently has FTAs in all other G7 countries)
• Strategically negotiate new FTAs in other regions of the world (i.e. the Indo-Pacific) to establish long-term regulations for mutually beneficial trade for the future

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