At World Seed Congress, industry and government leaders explain why seed innovation in Canada is making the country a faster, more competitive destination.
For years, Canada has offered international seed companies something highly valuable: stability.
Strong research institutions, a trusted regulatory system and access to one of the world’s most important agricultural regions have made Canada an attractive market. Yet stability alone is no longer enough in a world where companies must decide quickly where to invest their next dollar in plant breeding, biotechnology and seed innovation.
At the 2026 ISF World Seed Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, Seed World General Manager Madeleine Baerg sits down with Greg MacDonald, Agriculture Counsellor at Canada’s Mission to the European Union, and Dan Wright, CEO of Seeds Canada, to explore a question with global significance: Why Canada, and why now?
The conversation comes at a pivotal moment for the Canadian seed sector.
Both government and industry are signaling a stronger commitment to regulatory modernization, improved sector alignment and faster pathways for innovation. The goal is straightforward: make it easier for companies to move technologies from development to commercial success.
Why Canada Is Attracting Global Seed Investment
For international investors, that shift could change how Canada is viewed.
Rather than serving as a standalone market, Canada offers strategic access to the broader North American seed economy, one of the largest and most influential agricultural markets in the world. Companies that establish a foothold in Canada can position themselves to serve growers across the continent while benefiting from Canada’s scientific expertise and export-oriented agriculture.
Canada Seed Regulation and Innovation Pathways
The discussion also addresses the hard questions investors are asking.
Are regulatory pathways truly becoming more efficient, or is the rhetoric moving faster than reality? Are Canadian farmers prepared to adopt innovation at scale? How should companies interpret recent changes in research funding and infrastructure? And is the current momentum durable enough to withstand shifting political priorities?
MacDonald brings an international perspective from Brussels, where he works at the intersection of agriculture, trade and diplomacy. Wright offers the industry viewpoint, outlining what has changed and what still needs to happen for Canada to become a preferred destination for innovation deployment.
Canada and the Future of North American Agriculture
Together, they present a candid assessment of Canada’s strengths, challenges and opportunities.
For global seed companies evaluating where to invest next, the message is increasingly clear: Canada wants to compete, and it is working to create an environment where innovation can move faster and deliver greater value.
With Canada preparing to host World Seed Congress in 2027, the country is using this moment to demonstrate that it is ready to play an even larger role in shaping the future of global agriculture.
Tune it to the World Seed Congress live feed to see more on this and many other topics.
