By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Speaking from a dairy farm on April 2 in Granby, François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Finance, unveiled a major Liberal plan to strengthen Canada’s agricultural sector, protect food producers, and safeguard supply management in the face of new U.S. tariffs expected to be announced by President Trump later that day.
Standing alongside Félix Dion, mayor of Shefford, and Marianne Dandurand, former tourism executive and Liberal candidate in Compton–Stansted, Champagne emphasized the central role agriculture plays in the Eastern Townships and across Canada.
“The strength of Canada starts in our fields,” said Champagne. “We’re here to protect what matters—our farmers, our food system, and our sovereignty.”
The new Liberal plan, announced on behalf of party leader Mark Carney, includes targeted measures to bolster Canada’s agri-food sector, particularly against anticipated trade disruptions. At the heart of the platform is a firm commitment to supply management.
“Let me be very clear,” said Champagne. “No matter the content of negotiations with the U.S. or any other country, we will never, ever accept any questioning of supply management. It is non-negotiable.”
According to a related press release, the plan includes:
• Making permanent the increased AgriStability coverage, doubling protection from $3 million to $6 million per farm;
• Establishing a $200 million Domestic Food Processing Fund to boost local processing capacity;
• Injecting $30 million into the AgriMarketing Program to help Canadian products access new markets;
• Adding $30 million to the Agriculture Clean Technology Program to help producers modernize with greener equipment;
• Expanding the Canadian Agricultural Loans Act limit from $500,000 to $1 million and extending repayment terms to help young farmers access land and build operations.
The announcement took place amid uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy, with tariffs looming. Champagne acknowledged producers’ concerns and positioned the plan as a proactive response to economic turbulence.
