The Canadian government’s plan to inject another $300 million into its On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) over the next three years is drawing sharp criticism from the chair of the Wheat Growers Association.
On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay formally announced the commitment to continue paying farmers an incentive to implement on-farm practices around cover crops, nitrogen management, and rotational grazing through the government’s 2027-28 fiscal year.
With the looming possibility of tariffs on exports to the U.S., $300 million in federal funds would be better invested in other areas, says Wheat Growers’ chair and Saskatchewan farmer Daryl Fransoo, reacting to MacAulay’s announcement.
“Although investments in agriculture are always welcomed, the right place for the investment should be the most important aspect. In the face of a potential trade war with our most important customer we know money would be better used in diversifying trade routes, investment in trade enabling infrastructure at our ports, and research that aids our competitiveness in the global market,” he says.
“This is a huge missed opportunity by our government,” says Fransoo.
The $300 million would bring total federal funding for OFCAF since its inception in 2021 to over $700 million.
The Auditor General issued a report in April 2024 that was highly critical of the federal government’s handling of the OFCAF program and other AAFC climate initiatives, citing a lack of clear targets, poor data collection, program delays, and incomplete verification and monitoring.
There is a possibility the funds could be redirected or cut before the three year timeline is up, as OFCAF, along with other AAFC programming, will likely be subject to review if the Pierre Poilievre-led Conservatives win the upcoming federal election.
Related:
OFCAF to continue with same priorities and $300 million in federal funds for next three years
Where the money has gone: On-Farm Climate Action Fund halfway through its budget
Auditor General gives AAFC a failing grade on climate action initiatives
