Grainswest - Spring 2026

Spring 2026 grainswest.com 7 Togrowapowerful economy requirescuttingagricultural redtape THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT KNOWS IT IS IMPEDING the significant growth of one of the foundational pieces of this country’s economy—its own Advisory Council on Economic Growth said so nine years ago. Recently, the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri- Food came to the same conclusion: the untapped potential of the agriculture and agri-food industry is too high to ignore and too easy to remain undelivered. In a December 2025 report, the parliamentary committee issued a list of 26 recommendations to reduce red tape. It is based on the invaluable input of industry experts from across the sector, including CropLife Canada. It’s an acknowledgement that even as the country faces unprecedented external threats to the economy, there are easy and no-cost solutions at home that are only being held back by lack of political willpower. Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on the reduction of red tape. Last summer his government launched a review of GUEST COLUMN Pierre Petelle, president and CEO of CropLife Canada. federal regulations that found more than 500 instances where the government could work to reduce regulatory burdens. Do- ing so, it said, would “deliver sustainable results that lower the cost of doing business and support economic growth.” But proposed regulatory changes by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) prompted by that review have been underwhelming, uninspired and lack meaningful industry con- sultation. Implementation plans are on timelines so far out they do little to offer reprieve or opportunity to an industry poised for exponential growth. The parliamentary committee report underscores the urgent need for a significant shift in approach to regulation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the PMRA. They must continue to uphold the highest standards for health and safety but also centre the economy, food security and the cost of food in their decision-making. Governing bodies can no longer afford to be disconnected from the realities of industry. They cannot operate on overly cautious assumptions and unmet timelines that limit oppor- tunities for Canadians and allow international competitors a significant advantage. The recommendations don’t require forfeiting Canada’s un- compromising reputation for health and safety. Rather, govern- ment can work in partnership with industry to adopt a more growth-oriented mindset. As an example, there are now half as many submissions of pesticides seeking regulatory approval in Canada as there were a decade ago, and yet the timelines for approval have nearly doubled. This, ultimately, means less innovative tools in the hands of Canadian farmers, which puts them at a disadvantage compared to some of their main competitors. Dropping these barriers is a no-cost solution and innovative approaches have already been presented to the government through co-ordinated and unified advocacy across the industry. As the prime minister so often highlights, Canada can give it- self far more than others can take away, but regulatory stasis and bureaucratic handcuffs continue to hold the country back. Pierre Petelle is president and CEO of CropLife Canada, a nation- al trade association representing the manufacturers, developers and distributors of pesticides and plant breeding innovations.