With a government that’s picking winners fast, insiders say we must act now or get left behind by steel, auto and energy.
Canada’s seed and agri-food industries are tired of being the “and” in “agriculture and agri-food.” If this sector wants to thrive under the new Carney government, it’s going to need to speak louder, act faster — and think bigger.
Few people understand the terrain better than Carla Ventin. As a seasoned government relations advisor and owner of Mile26 Strategy in Ottawa, Ventin is well-known for opening doors that usually stay closed to many. At today’s Canadian Seed Growers’ Association annual meeting in Victoria, B.C., she was there to moderate a panel discussion on how to navigate government relations and to do what she does best — connect dots between political intent and industry ambition.
“This government is acting with urgency, and so must we,” Ventin said. “They’re not promising everything to everyone. They’ve narrowed the focus to three pillars: economy, security, and sovereignty. If we want to be in the winner’s circle, we need to frame agri-food within those pillars.”
Regulatory Modernization: From Expense to Investment
Seed regulatory modernization (SRM) isn’t just bureaucratic fine-tuning — it’s a litmus test for whether this government sees agriculture as a core part of the nation-building agenda. The stakes are high. At a time when Canada’s economic narrative is shifting from carbon counting to industrial strategy, the seed sector has a compelling story — but only if it learns to tell it in the language of national interest.
“The current system is inefficient and outdated,” Ventin said. “SRM is low-hanging fruit. It saves money. It builds trust. It shows the government we’re ready with solutions.”
And solutions are exactly what the government wants. With a new crop of rookie ministers — many from urban ridings and lacking ag backgrounds — there’s a critical window for the seed sector to educate, influence, and align with government priorities.
“Most MPs think about agriculture when they walk through a grocery store,” Ventin said. “We need to take them beyond the packaging — to the seed, the soil, and the innovation that drives it all.”
Meet the Builders: Secan’s Vision for Independent Innovation
Enter Jeff Reid, general manager for Secan, Canada’s largest distributor of certified seed. Reid isn’t just a businessman; he’s a steward of Canada’s independent seed industry — over 600 grower members strong.
“Our members aren’t just seed businesses,” Reid said. “They’re farmers. And they’re looking 10 years down the road, asking, ‘Will we still have access to the genetics we need to compete in a changing climate?’”
Reid’s message is clear: Canada’s independent seed players rely heavily on publicly bred varieties, and that backbone is under threat. Public plant breeding has been quietly eroded for years, and looming federal cutbacks could deliver a final blow.
“What we need is not just funding,” Reid said. “We need to reposition plant breeding as nation-building infrastructure. It’s not an expense. It’s an investment.”
The Risk of Silence: Why Agriculture Can’t Afford to Be Quiet
Scott Ross, executive director of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, echoed the urgency. He warned of a growing disconnect between Canada’s agriculture potential and its presence at the decision-making table.
“Look around,” Ross said. “The world is unstable. U.S. trade policy changes daily. Climate volatility is costing farmers hundreds of millions. And yet, we’re still struggling to communicate a unified vision for the future of agricultural innovation.”
Ross doesn’t mince words: if the sector doesn’t step up now, it risks being left out entirely.
“There’s a national unity of purpose forming around energy, auto and steel,” he said. “We need to make sure agriculture is in that conversation. We need to stop being reactive and show up as a solutions provider.”
Opportunity in Crisis: Why the Time to Act Is Now
If there’s one thing all panelists agreed on, it’s that the Carney government represents a new opportunity. Unlike previous administrations that spread funding more evenly, this one is willing to pick winners — and agriculture needs to make its case.
“This government is unapologetically strategic,” Ventin said. “If we’re not seen as a critical economic sector, we risk being outspent, outmaneuvered, and ultimately forgotten.”
The opportunity? Carney’s fondness for European policy models, his openness to structural change, and a public increasingly interested in where their food comes from.
“Canadian sentiment is shifting,” Ventin said. “People care about food security like never before. It’s time to leverage that.”
Next Steps: Think Local, Act National
So what now?
For Reid, it’s about coalition-building and clarity. “This is a crisis of innovation,” he said. “It’s not public vs. private. It’s about ensuring access to the next generation of solutions — whatever the source.”
For Ross, it’s about laser focus. “Regulatory modernization is the door opener,” he said. “If we don’t act with precision, this window will close.”
And for Ventin, it’s about playing smart politics. “Show up at your MP’s next social. Share the EU model that works. Speak to every department, not just Ag Canada. Play ping-pong politics if you have to.”
Because if agriculture can’t seize this moment — align with the national agenda, speak with one voice, and show a concrete ROI— someone else will.
And that someone else might not be growing your food.
