New funding partnership with Government of Canada will benefit Yukon farmers and support local food production

Joint news release with the Government of Canada

Member of Parliament Larry Bagnell, on behalf of Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lawrence MacAulay, and Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Ranj Pillai announced today the details of Yukon programs under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The announcement follows the signing of the Canada-Yukon Canadian Agricultural Partnership bilateral agreement in late March.

The new agreement will see up to $7.4 million in programming and funding over five years to continue the development of Yukon’s farms, markets, community gardens and food processing and distribution infrastructure.

In the past five years, Yukon agriculture producers have invested in diversifying farm businesses, increasing crop storage, and meeting food safety requirements using federal-territorial funding programs. Yukon has seen increases in many agricultural products including vegetables, pork, beef, chicken and eggs. These products are available at grocery stores, community markets, restaurants and through farm gate sales.

The new Partnership will allow the governments of Canada and Yukon to take the successes of the past years even further with Yukon’s farmers, ranchers and greenhouse growers. It provides more than 15 programs, fine-tuned for the needs of northern producers. These programs will enable strategic investments to encourage innovation, profitability, adaptability and long-term sustainable growth for Yukon’s agriculture economy.

The Government of Canada is focused on supporting the Yukon agricultural sector by fostering job creation, growth and long-term prosperity for the North. As the northern agriculture industry continues to develop, we will continue to support our farmers and producers to ensure Yukoners have access to more local food. This agreement reflects the flexibility of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to deliver effective programs that focus on innovation and help grow agriculture in Yukon.

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food 

This new five-year Partnership between the governments of Yukon and Canada will help us continue the important work of developing our agriculture industry, supporting our farmers, ranchers and greenhouse producers and encouraging local food production to benefit Yukoners.

The Honourable Ranj Pillai, Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources 

The Government of Canada is dedicated to working with industry to make sure they are well-equipped for continued innovation, growth and sustainability. This funding under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will strengthen Yukon agriculture, positioning it for future prosperity.

The Honourable Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon

The Yukon Agricultural Association and our 140 members are excited to pursue a new five-year agreement under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to encourage local production, innovation and profitability for Yukon’s agricultural operations.

Yukon Agricultural Association executive director Jennifer Hall

Quick facts 
  • The new Canadian Agricultural Partnership will a invest $7.4 million over five years in cost-shared initiatives, to help encourage the development of small and medium farm operations in Yukon.

  • Agriculture in the Yukon contributes at minimum $4.3 million per year to the economy, supplying local food, creating jobs and diversifying the economy.

  • The Partnership will provide funding to support the agriculture industry in areas such as value added processing, environmental management practices, training, education and business development.

  • The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3 billion investment, which includes $2 billion for cost-shared initiatives delivered by the provinces and territories and $1 billion for federal programs and activities.

Media contact 

Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca

Rod Jacob
Communications, Energy, Mines and Resources
867-667-3005
rod.jacob@gov.yk.ca

Guy Gallant
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay
613-773-1059

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-773-7972
1-866-345-7972
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News release #: 
18-111