Media Releases

NFU welcomes Throne Speech attention to climate change, gender, anti-racism and rural connectivity

In Tuesday’s Speech from the Throne, the National Farmers Union (NFU) was pleased that farmers and ranchers were recognized as “key partners in the fight against climate change” and stated that in the coming session of Parliament there will be support for our efforts to reduce emissions and build resilience. “Highlighting that farmers and ranchers are able and willing to make a positive difference for the climate is a critical step forward for Canada,” said Katie Ward, NFU President. “As a member of the Farmers for Climate Solutions coalition we have been working hard to raise public awareness, and are glad the Prime Minister heard our voice.”

NFU thanks Seed Growers after vote affirms self-determination and independence

When CSGA members’ votes were tallied, 55% rejected the Seeds Canada initiative promoted by the Seed Synergy collaboration. The NFU thanks Canada’s seed growers for voting to keep their organization and maintain its democratic control in the hands of farmer members. The rejected Seeds Canada proposal would have eliminated the seed growers’ independent collective voice by setting up a governance structure and fee schedule designed to exclude independent seed growers over time.

Alternative Federal Budget Recovery Plan: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — Agriculture

"With policy rooted in principles of food sovereignty and agroecology, the AFB Recovery Plan will build a food system that will democratically provide sustainability, security, and stability in our food supply, and fair incomes for food providers and food consumers. In recognition that COVID-19 is not the first or last crisis we will face, our food system will no longer be designed to maximize extraction with “just in time” and “lean” approaches, but instead will build in buffers and reserves that provide resilience.

Come Learn & Connect: Region 6 (Saskatchewan) Convention

Join in the NFU Region 6 (SK) Convention Mon Aug 10 & Tues Aug 11! This year is on Zoom.  You can join with your computer, smartphone, tablet, or simply call in with your phone. Participate, learn, and reconnect. Keynote speaker Darrin Qualman will also be publicly livestreamed on YouTube from our channel on August 10th and

Pandemic Spotlights Food System Reforms Needed to Prepare for Climate Change

The pandemic’s lessons are clear, and we know what we must do to prepare for climate change and avoid its worst effects. It is critical that we act now to build food systems that will be flexible and strong enough to withstand future crises. COVID-19 is a moment of reckoning, but a much larger and potentially more lethal reckoning looms.

Manitoba Regional Convention 2020: July 22nd (& 29th), 2020

Farmers for an Ecological and Just Post-COVID Recovery is the theme this year's Manitoba Regional Convention, being held online July 22 and 29. Join on your computer or by phone. We hope you can join us to continue working for fair conditions for farmers, their families and our society.

Action needed at all levels to end systemic racism, says National Farmers Union

We are committed to building processes to unpack racism in our leadership and wider membership to better work in solidarity with communities of colour to build food sovereignty for all. This will not be easy, but is long overdue.

NFU-O Statement on the Deaths of Two Migrant Farm Workers

We stand in solidarity with the Migrant Rights Network and Justicia for Migrant Workers in their outrage over the death of Bonifacio Eugenio Romero and their efforts to improve migrant workers’ housing, working, and status conditions.

COVID emergency funds can help build a more robust food system

The pandemic shines a spotlight on vulnerabilities in our food system, providing the opportunity to use emergency supports to create the foundation for a more robust and resilient food system.

Joint statement in regards to TFW restriction

TFW’s are an integral part of food production in New Brunswick. “This is cutting the means by which we have to produce. They want us to increase vegetable production but want us to hire people who may leave at the drop of a hat or before our season has finished”